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Canal View representatives warn of nursing‑home bed shortages, question county finances and potential sale
Summary
Canal View leaders told commissioners the facility has roughly 50 beds offline, a goal to restore 197 beds and about 177 people on a waiting list; they questioned county reinvestment of interest income and raised concerns about whether the county would sell the facility if a jail bond is needed.
Adam Laplander and Ed Jenich of Canal View spoke to the Houghton County Board of Commissioners on May 5 about long‑term care capacity, county investments and staffing. Laplander said Canal View completed roughly $12 million in upgrades "without going to the taxpayers" and asked what the county did with interest income, asking specifically where "the $3 million" was used. The board did not provide a line‑by‑line response during the work session.
Laplander gave facility metrics to the board: "77% of our residents are on Medicaid," he said, and he said Canal View has about 50 beds offline now while the goal is "to get back to 197 beds." He added the facility maintains a waiting list of approximately 177 people seeking placement. Ryan Heinonen, identified as CEO of Portage, told commissioners there are not enough nursing‑home beds available locally to discharge hospital patients, and that "about 72% are Medicaid patients." Heinonen said Portage Hospital has been sending patients to other counties and is considering purchasing beds from other facilities or adding beds in 10‑bed increments.
Commissioners discussed whether Canal View might be part of county asset planning if voters reject or approve a jail bond. Commissioner Glenn Anderson said the board has not said it intends to sell Canal View, but asked the group to consider where legally restricted funds or prior cash payments toward millage would be handled if a sale occurred. Commissioner Joel Keranen noted Canal View has 50 beds offline; the board and facility representatives discussed staffing strategies including outreach to MTU nursing graduates.
Why it matters: Canal View is a primary long‑term care provider in the county; continued bed shortages affect hospital discharges and local access to nursing‑home care. Commissioners asked staff to provide additional financial and legal detail before making decisions about any property disposition or ballot placement.
Next steps: Clerk and administrator were asked to report fund balances and legal counsel will be asked for guidance on restrictions if any county‑held facility were sold. The board plans to consider ballot timing for Canal View funding alongside the jail and senior meals.
