HADC Ridgeway, the current owners of Ridgeway on German and Ridgeway on 23rd, agreed to sell both locations to Vista Prairie Communities earlier in August.

Paul Abzug, President and CEO of HADC Ridgeway said “after 25 years of dedicated service to the New Ulm Community our strategic planning led us to the difficult decision to transition our ownership of the Ridgeway properties, but we are excited to find a new owner with similar values and a mission to provide compassionate care.”

Vista Prairie Communities is a non-profit organization that owns eight senior living communities. Its services include assisted living, independent living, memory care and care suites in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio.

In south central Minnesota, Vista Prairie manages Monarch Meadows in North Mankato; Goldfinch Estates in Fairmont and Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls.

Vista Prairie Vice President of Sales and Marketing Rachelle Strasburg said there will likely be an effort to combine efforts with other facilities.

One of the reasons Vista Prairie wished to acquire the Ridgeway properties is because their mission matched that of HADC Ridgeway.

“We focus on rural markets and our mission really aligned with the previous owners,” Strasburg said. “It is a natural transition.”

At this time there are 76 residents in both Ridgeway buildings and around 70 staff members. Strasburg said in addition to keeping current staff, they are planning to expand staffing. The goal of Vista Prairie is to enhance the level of care for older adults who need more assistance in daily life, without moving them to a skilled nursing facility. This way residents remain comfortable in a homelike setting.

To meet this goal, Vista Prairie is providing additional training for Ridgeway staff. Some of this training has already begun during the transition process. Along with the training, staff will be offered additional benefits, continuing education and employee assistance programs.

“Vista Prairie Communities is honored to be selected to continue the good work of HADC Ridgeway in serving the needs of seniors in New Ulm and to bring our mission of compassion and joy to the Ridgeway communities,” President Jim Bettendorf said.

Following the transition, Vista Prairie will hold an open house event for members of the New Ulm community to meet members of the support team.

Vista Prairie Communities is scheduled to officially take over the Ridgeway properties on September 30.