Havre Eagles Manor renovations mostly complete

The Havre Eagles Manor has seen great progress on renovations that have been going on since Spring of 2019, with new flooring, upgrades to existing rooms and new furniture being added to the facility.

The Manor suffered flood damage in early 2019 and many of the renovations have been in response to the event, which Eagles Manor Co-Manager Monie Wipp said required extensive work.

"With the flood damage we had to take walls down, we had to take ceilings down, the carpet were tore up, the tiles, so a lot of rooms were down to the studs," Wipp said.

She said the renovations to the building have been both hotly anticipated and well-received by residents.

"The bulk of the work is done, at least as far new rooms that can be rented," said Eagles Manor Board Chair Ron Harmon, who added that many improvements being worked on right now will carry over into next year.

He said improvements and upgrades are sill being made to things like the hot water system and climate control, but all the buildings core systems are functional.

He said they're still working on some aesthetic improvements to the the outside of the building, but most of the improvements for the inside of the facility have been completed.

Wipp said she particularly loved the renovations made to the first floor and the improved first impression it makes for people looking for a place to live.

She said they tried to make sure residents of the manor have been involved with many of the decisions made in renovating parts of the manor, particularly the kind of flooring used in the dining area.

"Some liked the light (color), and some liked the dark (color), although it ended up that the price that was factor, she said, "...They get so excited when they get to help plan something."

Co-Manger Sherona Bauer said she's particularly fond of the floor in the dining room and is looking forward to the walls coming next.

"They really love the dinning room, it's where they have social gatherings, they eat there twice a day, and I really like how that's looking more nice and modern," she said.

Resident Jim Cat said he's likes the renovations in the dinning room as well.

"I love it, absolutely," he said.

Bonnie Shiflett, another resident who's lived at the manor since March of 2019, also praised the work done on the dinning area.

"The new flooring in the cafeteria is awesome," she said, "... It's just wonderful."

Wipp said many of the residents have also contributed their own time and resources to the project.

"We've had a lot of participation from residents," she said. "Some went together to buy plants for out front."

She said many local businesses and private individuals have also donated furniture and money for new furniture.

Making these renovations amid the pandemic has been somewhat difficult, Wipp said, and the situation has interrupted some of the Manor's plans, but the renovations are moving forward and there is still work to be done.

Harmon said extra precautions were taken in conducting these renovations as many of its residents are elderly.

Wipp said they still have a few rooms to upgrade and the second-floor lobby requires improvement, and they are still looking for need new curtains and some blinds, which members of the board are looking into.

She said she's hoping these improvements will help the manor bring in new residents.

"There's been a lot of face-lifting done," she said. "... We're in a good place for the Eagles Manor to expand its residents base better than we have been in the number of years."

Wipp said these renovations are encouraging after the troubles the manor saw during its time under the control of Tamarack Property Management Co. which terminated its contract for the manor at the end of 2018.

"They didn't do anything; they didn't do any updating or any repairs," she said.

Wipp said after previous members of the board resigned, control was given to Tamarack while the new board took the time needed to get organized enough to retake control of the property.

Shiflett said things have improved greatly and she's also hoping that these renovations will draw people back to the manor.

"I think it's very nice," she said, "it's looking so much better than when I moved in," she said, "... I think it's coming together really well."

Wipp said the building lost close to 50 residents during the time it was under the management of Tamarack.

She said it took time to find the problems that most needed addressing, but she thinks things are on the right track for the people who live there.

"We consider our residents family," she said.

Catt said he loves the manor and looks forward to future renovations.

"This is my home, I have an apartment here and I love it," he said, "... I lost my home and now this is my home."

Shiflett said she hopes more people are drawn to the manor as a result of these renovations.

"I love it I really do," she said, "I like my home. You're alone, but you're not alone... I'm very happy here."

Harmon said Bear Paw Development Corp. recently helped them with a grant which will pay for a complete architectural analysis on the building to be done by a professional architectural firm in Great Falls.

"We're going to get a nice review of goals and objectives that we might have for the future of the Eagles Manor," he said.

He also said the building recently received a five-year HUD contract which he said the buildings mangers and staff have worked tirelessly and admirably for.

"It's a very big step for us," he said.

Harmon also thanked local businesspeople for supporting the manor in the form of donated time and money.

"There's been a cumulative effect of people supporting the Eagles Manor within our community," he said.