As Holiday Resort continues plans to end its local operations this week, there is now an online petition asking the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to halt the closure.
The petition asks KDADS to put the facility into receivership — a step that the petition says would let facility leadership handle any financial or regulatory issues under state management while offering services for residents and continued employment for over 100 workers.
*Click here for the petition link.
KDADS has not said whether it would take the results of that petition into account or whether it would consider receivership as an option for Holiday Resort. KDADS Director of Communications Cara Sloan-Ramos says both the agency and the state’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s Office have staff at Holiday Resort this week, doing their best to help residents move to other facilities as part of “a safe, supportive process that is as seamless as possible.” Sloan-Ramos did not go further into that process when asked by KVOE News, and she says all other details about the upcoming closure of Holiday Resort need to go to the facility’s administrative team.
Administrator Mike Kerbs has confirmed there are 52 residents currently at Holiday Resort, 2700 West 30th. He also says all residents, family members and employees were told of the closure and there are plans in place to help relocate residents, either through Holiday Resort or through what he called “accepting facilities.” However, when pressed as to why the facility is closing and why the timing is so tight, Kerbs declined — saying Holiday Resort attorneys have advised against “any kind of public or press statements.” Kerbs also says he can’t comment on what’s involved in the transfer process for residents.
8:45 am Wednesday: Friday’s end of operations not affecting Holiday Estates
The closure of Holiday Resort by Friday will have no impact on Holiday Estates.
Holiday Resort Administrator Mike Kerbs has confirmed there are 52 residents currently at Holiday Resort, 2700 West 30th. He also says all residents, family members and employees were told of the closure and there are plans in place to help relocate residents, either through Holiday Resort or through what he called “accepting facilities.” However, when pressed as to why the facility is closing and why the timing is so tight, Kerbs declined — saying Holiday Resort attorneys have advised against “any kind of public or press statements.”
The Holiday Estates complex at the main entrance, meanwhile, is separate from Holiday Resort — and is leasing apartment space, according to local realtor Christian Keisler.
According to Kansas House 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber, the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services says it has had staff at Holiday Resort as of Tuesday and is working on a response plan. KDADS says it will have more information later.
Holiday Resort was founded in 1988 and lists itself as a 120-bed facility, offering temporary respite stays, short-term rehabilitation and long-term skilled nursing care. It also offers a list of specialty programs and services for needs like cardiac, diabetes, orthopedics, post-surgery recovery and stroke as well as dementia, pain management and hospice.
Holiday Estates was purchased by Emporia developer Cory Haag in 2022.
4:45 pm Tuesday: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services responding following news of Holiday Resort closure by end of week
The state of Kansas has been made aware of and is planning to respond to the pending closure of Emporia’s Holiday Resort.
According to Kansas 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services has had staff “on-site” at Holiday Resort as of Tuesday. He reports the agency is currently working on a response plan with the facility set to close by Friday.
Further details are pending at this time. KDADS is planning to have a news release with additional information at a later time.
This comes with Holiday Resort currently serving 52 residents according to Administrator Mike Kerbs who spoke briefly with KVOE News Tuesday afternoon but declined a recorded interview at the advice of legal counsel. According to Kerbs, lawyers have advised against “any kind of public or press statements” into the cause of the closure at this time.
Kerbs did, however, tell KVOE News that all residents, families and employees were informed of the pending closure and plans are in place to help with the relocation of residents either through Holiday Resort or “accepting facilities.”
Kerbs was unable to comment, however, on any resources or services being offered the facility’s 120 full-time and part-time employees. News of the facility’s closure came as a shock to many Tuesday morning and followed the announcement that Emporia’s Tyson plant will be closing by early next year Monday.
Further details into the closure of Holiday Resort may be made available by early next week. KVOE News has reached out to other nursing facilities within Emporia to gauge their level of impact by Tuesday’s announcement.
Thus far, only Emporia’s Presbyterian Manor has reported an influx of calls related to the Holiday Resort closure according to administrator Megan Sandoval. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates as the situation continues to unfold.
4 pm Tuesday: UPDATE: Holiday Resort leadership advised against ‘any public or press statements’ following closure announcement Tuesday; Assistance to be offered to residents as they transition to new living situation in coming days
Details as to why Emporia’s Holiday Resort will be closing are unclear at this time and may not receive further clarification until after the facility is closed later this week.
According to Holiday Resort Administrator Mike Kerbs, who declined a taped interview, attorneys for Holiday Resort have advised against “any kind of public or press statements” into the cause of the closure at this time. That said, Kerbs was able to tell KVOE News all residents, families and employees have been notified of the facility’s pending closure this coming Friday.
Kerbs says Holiday Resort is currently caring for 52 residents with 120 full and part-time employees. Kerbs says Holiday Resort is helping to find new placements for the residents with either Holiday or “accepting facilities” providing transport assistance.
Kerbs could not comment on what resources or support is being offered to employees at this time. News of the closure came without warning and as a shock to many Tuesday morning.
Kerbs says additional information on the situation may be made available by early next week.
KVOE News has reached out to other nursing facilities within Emporia as of Tuesday morning. Thus far, only Emporia’s Presbyterian Manor has reported an influx of calls related to the Holiday Resort closure according to administrator Megan Sandoval.
11:40 am: Holiday Resort to close by end of week
Monday, it was announced that Emporia’s Tyson plant will be closing by early next year. Tuesday morning, a local retirement home also made a surprising announcement that it will be closing its doors by the end of this week.
KVOE News has confirmed that Holiday Resort will close its doors by Friday. Further details, including the transfer of patients, a cause for the closure, and the property’s future, are currently pending.
KVOE News has contacted Holiday Resort leadership for comment. We will have updates as they become available.
