Victorville's new elder care facility is 'just what the doctor ordered'

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·2 min read
The Victorville Planning Commission recently approved the High Desert Pace Center, a two-story, senior adult day and clinical care facility on Amethyst Road.
The Victorville Planning Commission recently approved the High Desert Pace Center, a two-story, senior adult day and clinical care facility on Amethyst Road.

The Victorville Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on Wednesday where it approved a two-story, elder day and clinical care facility.

Dubbed the High Desert Pace Center, the nearly 18,340-square-foot facility on Amethyst Road could break ground sometime in September, Apple Valley-based Architect Mike Pontius told the commission on Wednesday

The two-story structure would be situated on 2.3 acres south of Bear Valley Road and between Desert Cities Dialysis & High Desert Nephrology and the Gate Church of the High Desert.

“The facility is much needed in the High Desert, mainly because of our growing senior population, who need access to more medical and care facilities,” Councilwoman Elizabeth “Liz” Becerra told the Daily Press “This care facility is designed large enough to offer a variety of specialized services. It’s just what the doctor ordered.”

“Our growing community needs increased healthcare services, especially from those who cater to the unique needs of our elderly population,” Mayor Debra Jones said. “This is why we are extremely excited about this facility making its debut in Victorville.”

Jones said with the building’s  innovative model designed to provide both adult day care and clinical care on-site, it will be the first of its kind in the Victor Valley.

“I could not possibly overstate the positive impact certain to come to our seniors and their families,” Jones said.

Pontius Architecture reported that the building will include a 15,500-square-foot first floor and 2,829 square feet on the second floor.

Numerous exam rooms, rehabilitation and therapy spaces are planned for the building along with activity rooms, a dining area, staff offices and lounge areas.

The gated property will include street improvements along the site’s frontage as well as on-site improvements such as 101 paved parking areas, landscaping and decorative perimeter fencing.

The Victorville Planning Commission recently approved the High Desert Pace Center, a two-story, senior adult day and clinical care facility on Amethyst Road.
The Victorville Planning Commission recently approved the High Desert Pace Center, a two-story, senior adult day and clinical care facility on Amethyst Road.

The facility will also offer outdoor gathering spaces, enhanced landscaping, a fountain feature, a drop-off area and required [patient?]parking and transport vehicle parking.

“The applicant will need permit approval by our Planning Department,” Becerra said. “Once they get approval for the facility and for road upgrades, then they can start moving dirt.”

Pontius told the commission that he was excited to see the much-needed project in the High Desert moving forward.

He said the elder population is expanding, and the doctors who plan on staffing the facility have established medical practices in the area.

Pontius’ firm began looking for property for the Pace Center nearly two years ago and landed on Amethyst Road after the church sold the property, he said.

The Pace Center is expected to open toward the end of 2023 or the early part of 2024, according to Pontius.

On Wednesday, city staff had not received opposition letters or communication about the project from members of the public, including neighboring property owners or residents.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Adult day and clinical care facility planned for Victorville