A horde of civic leaders, fundraisers, residents and officials gathered to participate in Tuesday’s official ground-breaking ceremony at Presbyterian Manor in Rolla, which has a $1 million expansion and renovation planned for its facility.

Also attending the ceremony, Margaret Donnelly, the newly appointed director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, spoke of the need for more resident-centered facilities in Missouri.

“By the year 2025, Missouri’s population of those over age 65 will increase from its current 730,000 to 1.2 million,” Donnelly said. “So we have to continuously plan for how we’re going to meet the needs of those individuals who are currently in their senior years and also those who are aging.

“People bring new attitudes toward aging — it’s resident-centered care. And it is that kind of care which we promote within the department. It means people are able to live with greater dignity and greater independence.

“There’s going to be an increasing demand for residents and quality services, especially in communities such as Rolla,” Donnelly said.

Donnelly also mentioned the Rolla Presbyterian Manor facility had recently undergone a survey that revealed no deficiencies.

The groundbreaking ceremony and community-centered event also included other speakers who lauded the expansion, recognized donors, whose concerted efforts succeeded in surpassing the $1 million goal for the project, and celebrated the Manor’s 35-year history. Speakers included William Ward, president of Presbyterian Manor of Mid-America; Marilyn Schmidt, co-chair of the Campaign Committee; Rev. J. Dicks McKell, chairman of the Board of Trustees; and Randy Verkamp, Phelps County presiding commissioner.

The capital improvements planned for the Manor will add nearly 5,367 square feet to the existing 26,696 square feet, with additional renovations to 2,132 square feet of current space. Planned improvements include a new multi-purpose activity center, a new main entrance and portico, a new lobby, four new assisted-living units and an expanded laundry facility. The expansion is scheduled for completion late in 2010.

The capital campaign, “Shaping the Future,” and the individuals who accomplished raising more than the original goal of $1 million in voluntary support for the expansion, were led by members of the Advisory Committee and other Rolla civic and business leaders.

Honored at the celebration was Pete and B.J. Kinyon, honorary co-chairs of the Campaign Committee and also major donors.

“We launched this campaign with the idea that nothing worthwhile happens without concerted effort,” said Pete Kinyon. “This campaign and the generosity of our donors prove what can be accomplished when people care.”

The Kinyons presently reside at Presbyterian Manor, along with Fred Kisslinger, who also was honored as a major donor to the campaign for the Manor’s expansion.

Presbyterian Manor presently is home to 76 individuals, with 29 of them in health care, 26 in assisted living and 21 in independent living. It employs 65 people, and its annual payroll generates more than $2.3 million for the local economy.

The Rolla Presbyterian Manor opened in December 1973 with 38 assisted-living rooms. It later opened the Care Unit in May 1984.

Presbyterian Manor of Mid-America has 17 locations throughout Missouri and Kansas with more than 2,200 residents statewide.