Brackenridge's Platinum Ridge to celebrate $1.5M facelift

Matt Tack wants to celebrate, and apologize, on Saturday.

Tack is the new administrator at Platinum Ridge Center for Rehabilitation and Healing in Brackenridge. The 97-bed licensed skilled nursing facility had been under renovation for about three years.

“It’s been a long time,” Tack said, saying that the center was an eyesore while work was being done. “We want to show our best face now.”

The $1.5 million project is finished, and Tack says they’re ready to celebrate.

They’re inviting the community to join them for a grand reopening and open house with music, food and fun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

It’s scheduled to coincide with National Skilled Nursing Care Week, which starts Sunday.

The facility is located at 1050 Broadview Blvd.

Broadview Boulevard will be closed in that area for the event.

“It’s all about relationships, and that’s what we’re trying to promote,” he said.

Originally known as Georgian Manor, the facility has had several names and owners since it was built in the 1960s. Prestige Health Care Group is acquiring Platinum Ridge from its previous operator, CareRite, Tack said. That happened Jan. 1, and the transition will take two years to complete, he said.

Tack came to Platinum Ridge in February from Oakmont Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation, which also is part of Prestige. He has been in the field since 1993. His family owns and operates Quality Life Services in Butler.

“I enjoy being around residents and staff,” he said.

Platinum Ridge is split about 80/20 between long-term and short-term residents, and is currently about 90 percent full, Tack said. People on short-term stays, two to three weeks, are recuperating from hospital stays or surgery and transitioning back to home. Long-term residents can be there for a few months to a few years.

Services provided include speech, physical, occupational and respiratory therapy. Tack said they are working with Allegheny Valley Hospital on a new mental health program.

It also has a bariatric program and programs for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

The cost is about $270 per day, with most patients covered by some type of insurance, Tack said.

About 100 people work there.

Tack said they want to become more involved in the community, including with Allegheny Valley Hospital and area schools and churches.

“They’ve been coming to council meetings and they’ve been talking with us,” said Brackenridge Councilman Dino Lopreiato. “They want to be around and be part of the community. It’s a good thing. I welcome it.”

Lopreiato is happy the work on the building is finished. Residents were putting up with a lot, including the road being blocked for a long time.

“It didn’t look good for a long time,” he said. “I’m happy they’re finished with everything and they’re part of our community.”

The work on the building included an addition and renovations to the existing three-floor building. It now has a new, larger dining and activity room, offices, reception lobby and parking lot.

Saturday’s events will be mostly outside, and tours also will be available so people can learn more about Platinum Ridge. The Tina Daniels Band is scheduled to perform, and the Evil Swine BBQ food truck will be there, along with vendors, crafts and kids games.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Animal Protectors of New Kensington and Orphans of the Storm animal shelter near Kittanning.