Oakesdale: Land sold for senior center

The ball is now rolling to build an assisted living center in Oakesdale after the town officially voted to sell the land to Friends for Living Choices (FLC) last month.

For $7,484, the group bought about half a block of land in downtown Oakesdale from the town.

The purchase is one step toward building a center the group expects to cost $2 million, said Darlene Rickett, president and founder of FLC.

“We’re just very happy about that because it’s another step forward,” Rickett said. “So we’re continuing to look for money which is an old, old story.”

The center would have 14 studio apartments, and two one-bedroom units, she said.

The group is applying for grants and loans from state and federal agencies to get the estimated $2 million it will take to build the 16-unit center.

Oakesdale town council voted at their Jan. 19 council meeting to sell the site at Second and Bartlett to Friends for Living Choices.

City clerk/treasurer Mary DeGon said Oakesdale acquired the land with an idea for economic development.

“I would say this was the ideal situation for the reason we purchased it. You’re always trying to promote growth for any small town.”

Rickett said there is a “recognized need” in her town for the elderly to stay nearby once they need special help.

Many of the elderly in the Oakesdale area have resided there all their lives. Having to relocate to Spokane or the Pullman/Moscow area can be a heart-breaking ordeal when they want is to stay in the area, she said.

Oakesdale has a population of roughly 420 residents.

She believes an Oakesdale center could easily fill up once it opens, and expects to have a waiting list.

Rickett and her husband, former Oakesdale mayor Russ Rickett, are in their mid-70s. They too are hoping to one day be able to stay in the center versus moving out of town.

Rickett said she isn’t 100 percent sure of the feasibility of raising $2 million, but buying the site from the town is a step in the right direction nonetheless.

“We’re just taking it one step at a time,” Rickett said.

This spring, they plan on clearing off the property.