COPAKE—A new rapid care facility is coming to town.
Copake will soon be the place where many south county residents will head when they need medical care for non-life-threatening emergencies but can’t get an appointment with their doctor soon enough.
Copake Supervisor Jeff Nayer said Saturday, June 20 that the office of State Senator Kathleen Marchione (R-43rd) had announced the groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility to be located in a portion of the Community Rescue Squad building, 283 Mountain View Road, where the former Copake Police Department used to be.
Supervisor Nayer said the idea originated with the Copake Hamlet Revitalization Taskforce about two years ago. Taskforce members approached Columbia Memorial Health officials, who agreed to take on the project.
Renovations to the section of the squad building to be used as the rapid care center will cost about $700,000, half of which CMH will invest. The other half of the facility renovation funding ($350,000) has been secured for the project by Senator Marchione.
Another necessary consideration was to bring Broad Band internet access to the area at a cost of $25,000. The Rheinstrom Hill Community Foundation is chipping in half the cost and the remainder is being raised in private donations by the Copake Community Service Corp.
Mr. Nayer said the facility will have five examination rooms, will be open six or seven days/week and the rescue squad has given its new tenant two-years rent-free to them started.
The center, which will also provide x-ray and blood-drawing services, is expected to be open for business by the end of the year.
CMH also runs a Rapid Care Center in Valatie at 2827 Route 9.
The Columbia Paper will report more project details following a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled to take place June 29, 10:30 a.m. at the rescue squad building.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
