Pat George Attends Groundbreaking for Valley Hope Association Treatment Facility

Pat George attended the groundbreaking for the Valley Hope Association’s new residential treatment facility in Moundridge June 1. Dr. Ken Gregoire, President of Valley Hope Association, thanked the many public officials attending the event, indicating that their presence gave the ground-breaking a tremendous feel of dignity and importance. Valley Hope is a nationally recognized chemical dependency treatment provider with locations in seven states.

According to Gregoire, the new facility, located at 20 S Avenue B, will have 50 beds in about 26,000 square feet and is expected to be completed next summer. Fuqua Construction of Inman is the contractor.

“The move to Moundridge is a new building but not a new program,” Gregoire said. "Thanks to the generous support of the Wedel Foundation, we have the opportunity to build a treatment center from the ground up," Gregoire said. "We think it will be a great place for our patients."

VHA currently operates residential centers in Norton, Atchison and Halstead, Kansas, and outpatient offices in Mission and Wichita. Once the new Moundridge location is complete, Valley Hope will close Halstead Valley Hope which currently leases space from Halstead hospital. Gregoire stated he expected "a fairly large percentage" of the current staff to move to the new facility when it opens.

Founded in Norton, Kansas in August of 1967, Valley Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality alcohol/drug treatment at an affordable price.

Photo: Right to Left
Ken Gregoire, Ph.D., President and CEO, Valley Hope Association
Fred Schrag, Larry D. Wedel Foundation
Kirk Stucky, Larry D. Wedel Foundation
Dallas Uhrich, Program Director, Halstead Valley Hope
Gary Fisher, Mayor, Moundridge
Mike Zamrzla, District Director for Congressman Jerry Moran
Dick Kelsey, State Senator, District 26, Derby
Jay Emler, State Senator, District 35 (Ellsworth, Lincoln, McPherson, Rice)
John Cumings, Chairman, Board of Directors, Valley Hope Association
Pat George, Kansas House Representative, District 119, Dodge City
Don Schroeder, Kansas House Representative, District 74, Inman

Not Pictured
Ada Arford, Secretary, Board of Directors, Valley Hope Association
Dr. Merlyn Colip, Trustee, Board of Directors, Valley Hope Association
Charlie Roth, Kansas House Representative, District 71, Salina
Clark Shultz, Kansas House Representative, District 73, Lindsborg
Mike O’Neal, Speaker of the House, District 104, Hutchinson
Marc Rhoades, Kansas House of Representatives, District 72, Newton
Rick Krebhel, President, Moundridge Chamber of Commerce