Prairie Lakes Healthcare contributes $2 million to appropriate regional facility project

Watertown Public Opinion
·2 min read
Construction continues to progress on the Appropriate Regional Facility in Watertown.
Construction continues to progress on the Appropriate Regional Facility in Watertown.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has announced a $2 million donation toward the construction of a new appropriate regional facility in Watertown.

The Human Service Agency broke ground on the facility in fall. It is slated for completion in October.

With mental health needs continuing to rise locally and nationally, the new facility will serve as an asset for the support of those in need of behavioral health care across the region, according to a news release from Prairie Lakes. That includes four additional mental health beds where individuals experiencing a mental health crisis can be treated for up to five days.

The $7 million center is being built behind the current Human Service Agency building on 19th Street in Watertown.

The building will also have four beds for substance abuse detoxification and continue as the current Serenity Hills, a 16-bed halfway house for men with a dual diagnosis of mental health and addiction, per the release.

More: Watertown City Council contributes $50,000 toward new behavioral health facility

“There is a need in our region for additional mental health facilities, and we are dedicated to helping meet this need. We have a very collaborative relationship with the Human Service Agency for patients at Prairie Lakes that require clinical expertise and resources that the HSA provides to our community,” Prairie Lakes Interim CEO Paul Macek said in the release.

A look at the proposed floor plan for the Appropriate Regional Facility under construction in Watertown.
A look at the proposed floor plan for the Appropriate Regional Facility under construction in Watertown.

Kari Johnston, executive director of the Human Service Agency, said she is thankful for the support.

“We have longstanding and very positive working relationship with Prairie Lakes, and their financial contribution to our new mission is proof of their dedication and support to improve mental health services in our community," she said in the release.

Given the rising cost of construction, the Human Service Agency will continue to seek donations for the project.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Prairie Lakes Healthcare gives $2M for Appropriate Regional Facility