Lee County is now out of the business of running nursing homes. The county turned over full ownership of Shady Rest Care Pavilion to a not-for-profit in Fort Myers today. Lee County has owned the nursing home since 1958, when it opened the 60-bed facility. It’s been expanded several times over the decades… and now has 180-beds. Lee County commissioners agreed to work toward privatization more than 5 years ago. The not-for-profit - Shady Rest Care Pavilion, Inc. – has operated in the interim…and now has full ownership. The County’s Director of Human Services - Karen Hawes – says it took immense effort and dedication to make the transition possible. She says she has confidence in the new owners.

“County government shouldn’t be in the business of owning and operating nursing homes. It’s much better when they’re in the private sector…and this being a not-for-profit, community board of directors, it will continue the love and the care that we’ve had traditionally in this community.”

The Lee County Board of Commissioners authorized the issuance of $7 million worth of Industrial Development Authority Bonds to finance the purchase. Fifth-Third Bank handled the financing. The staff and management at Shady Rest will remain.