The project is scheduled for completion in February 2027. Candas Schouvieller, CEO of Oak Hills Living Center, said the new apartments have drawn strong interest.

The building is intended to fill a gap in senior housing in the New Ulm area, Schouvieller said.

“There’s a gap in this community,” she said. “Right now, you go from being in your home to maybe having some home care services straight to assisted living.”

The Oaks at Garden Terrace will offer one- and two-bedroom apartments. Services will include one meal per day, regular wellness checks such as blood pressure monitoring, exercise classes and support for nutritious diets. The goal is to help residents stay healthy and independent longer, Schouvieller said.

A computer rendering of the completed Garden Terrace building. Construction is underway on The Oaks at Garden Terrace, a new senior independent living community being developed by Oak Hills Living Center. (Courtesy rendering/Oak Hills Living Center)

Construction is coming along at the site. Heavy equipment, stacks of lumber, and building materials are visible as crews work on the new structure. Cement trucks have been on site for foundation and concrete work, and framing is beginning to rise. The project is located adjacent to the existing Oak Hills campus.

The project followed a market study and input from the Oak Hills board. Schouvieller is active with LeadingAge Minnesota, where she serves on several committees. She said the facility is always looking ahead.

“We’re always looking into the future,” Schouvieller said. “What are the services that this next generation is going to be wanting.”

Oak Hills will lease and manage the building. The organization operates as a standalone, community-owned nonprofit, one of the few remaining in the state.

A tax abatement recently approved by the City of New Ulm will help support the project. As a community-owned facility without corporate resources, Oak Hills faces cash flow challenges on the skilled nursing side. State reimbursement rates lag two to two-and-a-half years behind expenses, Schouvieller said.

Materials and equipment are in place as construction progresses on The Oaks at Garden Terrace, Oak Hills Living Center’s new senior independent living apartments. (Photo by Amy Zents)

The center also acquired a new resident bus this year. The previous 2004 model had become unreliable, especially the wheelchair lift.

Schouvieller said the lift often failed during outings.

“It was stressful and scary for the resident and the staff person that was helping,” she said.

Community fundraisers raised the money for the new bus. The annual bowling event, a gala and the recent ice cream social brought in $115,000. Veterans for Veterans contributed the final $5,000, for a total of $120,000.

The new 12-passenger bus offers more flexibility. Seats can be removed to accommodate up to four wheelchairs. Schouvieller said she has ridden in the new bus.

The new senior independent living apartments will expand the range of services available on the Oak Hills campus which is located next to New Ulm Medical Center. The center offers home care, independent living, assisted living, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term skilled nursing.

Schouvieller said the single-campus setup that offers a continuum of care is a major advantage.

“We are fortunate to be able to offer a continuum of care right in our community,” she said. “Our goal is to be able to provide services to those people that have lived in the New Ulm community throughout their entire lives. Most people want to stay in the community they made a living in and raised their families. We are seeing far too many situations where people need to travel over two hours away from where their spouse or family members live, just to receive care. We do not want to have that issue in New Ulm.”

Oak Hills is also participating in quality improvement projects with the Minnesota Department of Health. A new program for residents with dementia is in development.

The organization offers a scholarship program for employees. Oak Hills pays tuition for those pursuing further education in fields such as nursing and dietetics. In exchange, participants agree to a work commitment of at least one year after they obtain their degree and while they are taking their classes, they need to work an average of 10 hours per week.

Schouvieller said community support remains essential.

“We really appreciate the community support,” she said. “It is essential that we continue to receive community support since Oak Hills is a community-owned facility. We are not part of a bigger corporation, which makes it challenging as far as financial stability. We would like to stay independent as long as we can and continue to provide great, quality care for the people that entrust us with their care.”

Construction activity at the site is expected to continue through the coming months as crews work toward the 2027 opening. The addition of The Oaks at Garden Terrace will give the center a more complete range of housing and care options for area seniors.