California Veterans Home celebrating Veterans' Day.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 1994--State Veterans Affairs Director Jay Vargas announced today that a newly remodeled, 117-bed intermediate care facility will be unveiled at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville.

The unveiling is scheduled as part of the home's traditional Veterans' Day celebration Friday, Nov. 11, according to Vargas, a retired Marine colonel.

Eisenhower Annex, named after former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, will be open for public viewing for the first time since completion of remodeling.

The 40,000 square-foot building is expected to open for business in February 1995. Modernization features include partitioning of three open wards into semi-private rooms; improved access for the disabled; air conditioning; and an enhanced fire sprinkler system.

Veterans' Day ceremonies, slated to begin at 10 a.m., are open to the public. The program includes music by the Richmond Community Band; re-dedication of Eisenhower Annex by Retired Coast Guard Capt. Thomas Maddock, chief deputy director for the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA); and installation of the home's hall of fame nominees by Jerry Jones, interim administrator for the home.

The home's museum will showcase several special exhibits. An historic portrait of Eisenhower will be unveiled for permanent display in the annex. Another exhibit will feature the nine Medal of Honor recipients, including Vargas, associated with the home's 110 year history. The Napa Valley Museum will present a display of their plans for a new museum building at the home.

The Eisenhower Annex is the latest project completed in an ongoing $100 million master plan to remodel the home's facilities.

"This reflects our commitment to `Putting Veterans First' and the partnership between my department and the federal government in supporting state-run veterans homes," said Vargas.

"When planned renovations are complete, nearly 1,600 war veterans will call the state facility in Yountville home," he said.

The contractor for the project is West Coast Contractors, the project manager is Vanir Construction Management and the architect is Del Campo and Maru, Architects and Engineers.

Meanwhile, the Governor's Task Force on a Southern California Veterans Home met in Santa Ana Oct. 27. By the end of 1994, the task force will report to the governor findings and final recommendations on sites for a state veterans home in the southland.

The Barstow home construction project remains ahead of schedule and is 40 percent complete. Prospective residents may request information or be placed on a tentative waiting list by writing to CDVA, 1227 O Street, Sacramento, Calif., 95814, attention Southern California Veterans Home Project. Currently, 225 veterans are on the waiting list.

With regard to construction, the exterior, including roofing and walls, for all building has been erected and utility connections (electrical; plumbing; and heating, ventilation and air conditioning) have been extended to each building. Connections to individual administration support, nursing and residential areas are more than 50 percent complete for the project.

It is possible that all buildings will be completed by the contractor and the construction phase will be concluded during the fall of 1995, according to Retired Navy Cdr. Tom Langley, assistant director for CDVA.

He said that following completion there will be months of equipment installation, staffing, training, inspection and certification before the facility will be ready for occupancy.

"We anticipate being ready for occupancy on or before January 1996," Langley said.

CONTACT: Department of Veterans Affairs

Steve Janosco, 916/653-2561, 2192