New Kitchen Takes Shape

The Backstory…

On a journey of renovation, St. Louis Center has undergone many changes via the Legacy Campaign launched in 2010. Through this effort, the Center has added nine new buildings and renovated or expanded three already existing buildings all over the campus. Before this expedition, most structures had not been updated since the Center’s founding over 64 years ago in 1960. 

Therefore, the kitchen was one of the more pressing areas that required a complete renovation. The kitchen plays a large role in the residents’ daily lives here at St. Louis Center, therefore it is one of the most important aspects of the Legacy Campaign. As residents age, many also require some form of nutrition intervention or a modified diet in order to support their various health needs. Currently, approximately 87% of those with I/DD living at the Center require specialized diets, which add tremendous complexity to meal preparation. 

The kitchen staff need special food service equipment and a large work area to prepare meals. Furthermore, they must coordinate a multitude of details about each resident’s special needs, keep careful logs, and work closely with nursing and direct care staff in order to successfully provide the residents with the best service possible. 

Providing funding for the renovation of a sixty-year-old kitchen was an ambitious undertaking. Accordingly, the Center would like to thank Representative Tim Walberg and his office staff. They informed the Center when we were in their District that there may be federal appropriations available to help ensure continued kitchen compliance for SLC’s safe food preparation. The application and approval were lengthy, but resulted in a $500,000 federal Health Resources and Services Administration award that was granted in 2022! The renovation project had a timeline of three years to complete.

The Progress…

Contractors and staff set to work acquiring permits, getting bids, and developing specifications. They did this while finding ways to continue to serve almost 5,000 meals per month to our residents while the extensive remodel was under construction. After several post-pandemic delays, the auxiliary kitchen trailer arrived this spring, full construction began in May, and now, in August, our new kitchen is nearing completion!

The initial phase involved a complete demolition of the existing space: the walls were knocked down and new walls were constructed to make way for a more functional and accessible layout. Additionally, significant improvements were made as electrical lines were upgraded to ensure the electrical infrastructure could support modern appliances and equipment. 

The newly remodeled kitchen will feature a new walk-in cooler and freezer, ensuring that ingredients are stored at optimal temperatures with plenty of space for more. Moreover, an enhanced air conditioning, a modern exhaust system, make-up air units will provide a more comfortable and efficient working environment. And a new dishwashing area will hasten the cleaning process. 

After three months of hard work and overcoming various challenges, the transformation of the new kitchen is finally taking shape. The kitchen staff, who have been adapting to the constraints of the temporary “Kitchen-to-go” setup, are eagerly anticipating the completion of this major renovation. Their eagerness reflects their commitment to providing quality nourishment to the St. Louis Center community. The kitchen staff have the overwhelming appreciation of those around them because of their perseverance despite the limitations of their current temporary facilities. The upgraded kitchen promises to significantly improve their workflow, enhance food safety, and ultimately contribute to a better dining experience for the residents.  

The Need…

When this project was first explored before the pandemic, the expected cost was just over $500,000. Post-COVID construction projects have all faced a new cost reality, including this one. The kitchen staff are in need of a few more items that were not anticipated several years ago to push this renovation to completion. Below are some of the amenities we hope to attain in the near future:

The Celebration!

Even as final work is being completed and equipment lists are being filled, St. Louis Center is planning a special dedication event this fall. We wish to celebrate the opening of the brand-new kitchen and to honor the generosity of the individuals and organizations whose support contributed to making the renovation a reality. We are thrilled to share this accomplishment with you and to mark this significant milestone in the Center’s journey together as a community! 

Read the entire issue of St. Louis Spirit here!

I would like to help celebrate the opening by contributing toward the list of needed equipment: