History of Vista Villa

  • Monday, October 6, 2003-Business After Hours at Vista Villa from 5 pm till 7 pm.
  • Monday, October 7, 2002--Excitement rocked Vista Villa this last Monday morning as Vista Residents prepared to host Business After Hours from 5 pm till 7 pm. Ladies started dipping cookies in high spirit in the morning, then they started cleaning vegetables before the appointed time because they were having so much fun. All of the details of the even were under the supervision of Chef Mary Moore. Vista was filled with chatter and cheer and the music of Richard Yanaga. 108 people turned out, with salads being available in the hallway, main dishes in the dining room, and cookies and coffee in the Club Room. Tired, but happy Vista Villa closed their doors for the night.
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2002--The KRCA Annual Meeting was at 5:00 pm with a buffet and conversation afterwards.
  • Sunday, September 8, 2002--Vista Villa held an outside block party for all the neighbors. Several picnic tables were full in the late afternoon shade, as 73 people participated in a cream can supper, with baked cobbler for dessert.
  • Thursday, November 1, 2001--Maunette Loeks/OBSERVER THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER — Wayne Robbins (left), of Kimball, and Vista Villa resident Alex Eckhardt unfurl the United States flag at Vista Villa Friday. Robbins donated and erected a flagpole at the congregate-living facility, so that residents could fly the flag. Vista Villa residents gathered around the flagpole and recited the pledge of allegiance. Robbins has also donated flagpoles at other locations in Kimball, Pine Bluffs and Burns, Wyo.
  • Thursday, September 20, 2001--44 people attended the KRCA Annual Meeting at 5:00 pm, and everyone enjoyed a nice buffet and fellowship after the meeting.
  • Monday, September 10, 2001--JoAnn Mueller started her first day as the new administrator of Vista Villa. JoAnn says she accepted the job because she enjoys being around people and the residents of Vita Villa are great people to work with.
  • Monday, July 16, 2001--Harry and Bonnie McNees have been hired as interim administrators at Vista Villa. The McNeeses, who started Monday, will fill the position until the Kimball Retirement Community Association (KRCA) hires a permanent administrator to replace Pat Biesecker, who resigned on July 15.

Elsie Simms-Vincent, president of KRCA, said the board did not want to leave the position vacant while they searched for a permanent administrator.

Harry and Bonnie split shifts at Vista Villa Monday through Friday. Harry works mornings from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and Bonnie works 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. They also plan to occasionally stay for the evening meal with the residents. Bonnie said that she and Harry plan to help with computer work such as designing calendars for the staff and updating records. They will also be answering the phone at Vista Villa and be available to show apartments.

Bonnie said they accepted the position because they decided "if that would be helpful, we'd be glad to do it."

  • Sunday, May 20, 2001--42 people joined us, from 12:30 to 5:00 pm, for an Open House celebration of  our first year anniversary.
  • Sunday, April 9, 2000--90 people, from 2 to 4 pm, visited Vista Villa for an Open House celebration of our first year anniversary.
  • February 3, 2000--Vista Villa, the congregate-living facility completed in April 1999, was awarded the Community Enhancement Award by the Kimball Banner Chamber of Commerce. The project, which first began as a community promotion campaign at the 1996 Farmer's Day, has been touted to be a facility "designed for seniors by seniors." Elsie Simms-Vincent, who has been actively involved in the project, accepted the award.
  • November 13, 1999--Dan Hafeman, resident Kay Hafeman's son, donated a new PC to Vista Villa for the residents use. Hugh Gailey, Elizabeth Eastman's brother, donated a laser printer. The residents can surf the web and send e-mail.
  • October 8, 1999--Vista Villa sponsored a "Night for Seniors" with a tour and dinner at 5 pm, and a dance afterwards at the 4-H Building.
  • September 21, 1999--Annual Meeting at 4:00 pm in the Vista Villa Dining Room.
  • June 12, 1999--The final papers are signed, the permanent financing is in place.
  • May 2, 1999--The Public Grand Opening from 2 to 4 pm was a huge success, with over 400 people visiting and celebrating at the beautiful new facility!
  • April 12, 1999--From 2 to 4 pm, the ribbon cutting ceremony with local and state dignitaries attending, including officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will mark the opening of Vista Villa. Residents are moving in.
    Lindy Hafeman said there are two more inspections to be done, but that they won’t interfere with the scheduled events.
    The facility is fully staffed and employees will begin working April 12. Lindy will move her office to Vista Villa April 10.
  • March 19, 1999--USDA conducted its final inspection! All that remains is finishing up the final items.
  • March 16, 1999--At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the council approved a proposal to issue $500,000 in Tax Increment Funding for Vista Villa.
  • February 26, 1999--The upstairs is fully carpeted, and all the cabinets are in. The interior painting is finished.
  • January 29, 1999--The final piece of sheetrock has been hung. One apartment is fully carpeted.
  • December 23, 1998--The building is enclosed, drywall is going up, and the painters are painting.
  • November 12, 1998--On a beautiful 60 degree day, the driveway cement is being poured.
  • October 13, 1998--Lindy Hafeman, of Sidney, started Monday as the administrator for Vista Villa. Currently, Hafeman’s office is at the KRCA office downtown. After construction at Vista Villa is completed her office will be moved on-site. She will be in charge of promoting and marketing, as well as overall administration after completion.
    Originally from Scottsbluff, Hafeman lives in Sidney with her husband, Pastor Greg Hafeman in Sidney. Her husband is originally from Kimball and is the son of Kay and the late Art Hafeman. The couple have five children.
    She brings to the position over twenty years of experience in marketing, public relations and administrative management. Hafeman said she is thrilled and honored to have been hired for the position.
    "I am looking forward to working with the KRCA board of directors and the Kimball Community in promoting Vista Villa. It promises to be a lovely facility and offers a living experience for the retired, second to none," she said.
    Hafeman said she will dedicate herself to promoting a very positive, warm and efficient environment for all Vista Villa residents.
    A targeted completion date of mid-December is expected, she said. Construction at the site was estimated to be over 75 percent complete.backhoe.jpg (17585 bytes)
  • October 1, 1998--Residents have spent the last week choosing from three color packages, with colors ranging from "Dapper Tan" to "Pale Water," for the interior of their living facilities. Colors for the carpet, vinyl, paint and countertops of the rooms were chosen by a board committee for residents to select from. Colors for the commons and dining areas have also been chosen by board committees.
  • May 20, 1998--Framing has begun.
  • April, 1998--Earthwork has begun again. The concrete slab and footings are being poured.

May 20, 1998

Framing has begun.

April, 1998

Earthwork has begun again. The concrete slab and footings are being poured. The underground utilities are being put in.

January 27th, 1998

Over 86.9 percent of the Vista Villa project has been bid out.

According to Joan Frances, project coordinator, $431,000 went to successful bidders in Kimball with more on the way. The project is 1.1 percent from the expected budget numbers at this time. Three other bids are in a holding pattern as the board investigates further.

Bid packages are advertised, so contractors from around the area will have an opportunity to bid on the work.There is a package for each of the major types of work, Frances said. "There is a framing bid, which contains all of the work for framing," she said. "Contractors would submit their bids for all of the framing work."

Although some bids come in higher than others, Frances said they even out in the end. "The key is to get a number of bids in," she said. "The board is satisfied by the number of bid packages they have sent out and the number of received back.

The bids which have been let so far include framing, plumbing, exterior fixtures, mechanical and others, Frances said. Most of the work left includes landscaping and other work which will be bid later on in the project. Once a bid is approved by the board it goes to the USDA and then comes back to be signed by all parties involved.

October 13, 1997

The initial earthwork has begun.

August 21, 1997

Mark Stormberg, the project architect, has let bids for the initial fall construction. Concrete work, earthwork, foundation insulation, utilities, and waterproofing will be bid and completed this fall, with the rest of the construction starting next spring with a September 1, 1998 completion date.

August 18, 1997

We have 16 charter residents signed up.

July 14, 1997

The Board of Directors of the Kimball Retirement Community Association would like to invite you to:

Vista Villa Groundbreaking Ceremony
Monday, July 14, 1997
12:00 noon
(Ceremony will begin at 12:10)
Corner of Vista Drive and 9th Street (next to the sign)
Lunch will be served following the ceremony.

Please join with us in this celebration that moves us a step closer to realizing our Field of Dreams!

Over 80 people were in attendance. The building fund is over $100,000.

May 14, 1997

The $300,000 Building Fund Campaign is launched with significant donations from the First State Bank, American National Bank, and the Panhandle Agency. The Building Fund is needed to show community support for the project, and provide working capital.

April 15, 1997

The USDA direct loan and loan guarantees are approved. The Kimball City Council approved the redevelopment plan for the Kimball Retirement Community Association on the Vista Villa project, and approved the issuance of the tax increment financing bonds in the amount of $500,000.00.

March 4, 1997

The Kimball Redevelopment Authority loaned the KRCA Building Fund $200,000. The total is now $300,000, which is halfway to the $600,000 needed to finish the USDA loan process.

December 6, 1996

Cliff Hansen, of the Nebraska Business Development Center of Chadron, Nebraska, has finished the Vista Villa business plan, and we are ready to apply for the loans.

August 6, 1996

The model of Vista Villa was unveiled before a crowd of more than 75 people at the Kimball Senior Citizens Center. The model will be on display at local banks and businesses. Mark Stormberg has finished the schematic drawings for putting together the financial package. Cliff Hansen, of the Nebraska Business Development Center of Chadron, Nebraska, presented a first draft of the Vista Villa business plan to the KRCA board of directors.

June 3-4, 1996

Another round of community discussion groups met with Mark Stormberg, Architect. The second draft of the schematic drawing for the retirement facility was viewed and discussed. Mark will make refinements to the plans in preparation for putting together a financial package.

May 6-7, 1996

The second round of community discussion groups met with Mark Stormberg, Architect. The first draft of the schematic drawing for the retirement facility was viewed and discussed.

March 12-14, 1996

The first round of community discussion groups was held with over 60 community members attending. Key topic areas were: Desired services to be offered, Design of apartments, Types of common space desired.

February 5, 1996

KRCA purchased the land south of the manor for the congregate living facility from Kimball County for the sum of $1.

January, 1996

Joan Frances was hired as the coordinator for the congregate living project. Joan has much experience in community development, most recently in Canada.

December, 1995

Sunday, December 3rd, there was a phone-a-thon at George Risk Industry's Telemarketing offices to follow up on the November Start Up Fund mailing. Eleven people participated, and about 300 people were contacted in the 3 hour phone-a-thon.

The Kimball County Commissioners had a public hearing on the land purchase on December 18th. There was positive input from several citizens.

November, 1995

On Monday evening, November 6th, over 400 letters were mailed to kick off the Start up Fund Campaign.

On Sunday, November 19th, the Corporate officers, Board of Directors, and Advisory Council met with Mark Stormberg for a second Design Workshop, to begin finalizing plans for the facility.

October, 1995

There was an all members meeting of the KRCA from 4-6 p.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 3rd, at the Longhorn Restaurant. The purpose of this meeting was to bring everyone up to speed, create a team environment, and receive initial input for the architect, Mark Stormberg. Building 30 congregate living units was discussed.

September, 1995

KRCA made a proposal to the Kimball County Commissioners for the purchase of land south of the Manor.

The "Field of Dreams" brochure was widely distributed in Kimball on Farmers Day, September 16, to announce a new retirement housing project in Kimball County.

August, 1995

KRCA held the first all members meeting of the board of directors, executive officers, and advisory board.

KRCA opened a checking account, and accepted its first donations.

July, 1995

The Kimball Retirement Community Association was incorporated as a Not For Profit corporation. A Board of Directors and an Advisory Council were created.

May 16th, 1995

Representatives visited the Westview Retirement Community in Grant, NE and the Willow Ridge Retirement Community in McCook, NE. Based on their observations, it was decided to build 30 congregate living units in Kimball.

Bob Smith agreed to be the Project Manager for the project.

April 24th, 1995

Five retirement consultants presented proposals for developing a retirement center in Kimball. Representatives from the City, County, community organizations, and community leaders were in attendance. After much discussion, KRCA entered into negotiation with Russ Peterson of Excel Management of Lincoln.

January 16th, 1995

A group of citizens held a public interest meeting at the Kimball Public Library Cultural Room. Thirty one interested people attended and there were several task forces formed out of this meeting.

January 10th, 1995

Ed Nelson, former president of Chadron State College, conducted a community needs retreat and workshop. Again, a retirement center in Kimball was a stated need of this group.

November 1994

A steering committee was formed with the purpose of building a retirement center in Kimball. This committee started meeting on a weekly basis with the purpose of forwarding this project.

Fall 1992

A committee of local volunteers was formed and a firm from Denver, Browne, Borzt & Coddington, Inc. was selected to conduct a Retirement Community Analysis for Kimball. The study revealed a need for 20-30 units of congregate care and duplex type housing.

January 1992

Dave Walters, Administrator of Kimball County Hospital, assisted in having Kimball selected as a community to benefit from the S.T.A.R.T. (Strategic Targeting and Resource Training) program. The program was developed by the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The program focused on developing an action plan to enhance the community's economy by improving elements of the local health services system. Two public workshops were held and a need for retirement housing was established.

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Revised: Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Copyright © 1996-2006 William Loring