August 24, 2020
Dear UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's School of Nursing Alumni,
As you might already know, on Monday, August 10, 2020 unusually powerful hurricane-like storms with winds exceeding 100 miles per hour tore through parts of Iowa and Illinois. Our facilities were not spared during the storm. Several of our downtown buildings as well as clinics and outpatient sites throughout the region sustained water and structural damage. Among the hardest hit was our Resource Center, which today houses several support functions but from 1927 to 1987 was home to the St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing.
The Resource Center lost significant heating, cooling and ventilation capacity, as well as fire egress from some corridors. As such, effective immediately, most of the facility is unavailable for occupancy, and most team members have been relocated. Because of the extensive damage, we do not plan to have those team members return for multiple safety concerns.
We are currently conducting ongoing safety reviews and cost estimation related to the damage sustained. We do anticipate that the cost of repairs will significantly exceed what is practical for us to reinvest in the building. Because of this, we will most likely need to consider demolition at some point in the near future. We know that the loss of this building will be especially sad for those who lived and learned there, and we are committed to finding ways to commemorate its service as we continue our planning.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the St. Luke's School of Nursing Alumni. We will continue to update you on our progress and planned activities.
Sincerely,
Carmen Kinrade Kleinsmith, Class of '84 Mona Sonkens Cook, Class of '81
Co-Chair Commemorative Committee Co-Chair Commemorative Committee