JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Anne Carlsen Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities for over 80 years, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting and public open house of its new Ballantyne Berg Campus on Thursday.
The state-of-the-art facility will serve as the new home for Anne Carlsen’s comprehensive pediatric residential and medical services, education, therapy services, and assistive technology. The public is invited to explore the new campus, which is part of a larger system serving over 3,100 individuals across North Dakota. The celebration featured group tours, interactive games, food, and activities for all ages.
A host of local, state, and regional dignitaries spoke at the program before the official ribbon cutting. Lt. Gov Tammy Miller was on hand to make an official declaration…
[audio mp3="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/1065/2024/06/06150657/Miller-ACC.mp3"]Anne Carlsen Board Chair Dr. Polly Peterson talked about the importance of the new facility…
[audio mp3="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/1065/2024/06/06150132/Peterson-ACC.mp3"]The new facility represents the culmination of the Anne Carlsen Center’s Pathway for the Future campaign, a $59 million project spanning eight years. The Ballantyne Berg Campus marks a significant advancement in the services and capabilities of the Anne Carlsen Center.
The residential space features 34 private rooms designed to better serve children and young adults with medically and behaviorally complex needs. These rooms offer larger private spaces for easier access to specialized equipment while fostering a homier, more independent atmosphere.
Additionally, the new facility houses the Anne Carlsen Center for Learning, a fully accredited private school serving up to 40 K-12 students. The school includes flexible learning spaces and updated classroom infrastructure, ensuring dynamic learning environments for current and future students.
The campus also offers unique recreational areas to facilitate social interaction, peer engagement, and physical activities for individuals, families, and staff. These amenities include a 20×40-foot warm water therapy pool with a movable floor, a fully accessible outdoor playground, and a track connecting all campus areas for year-round access. An indoor sensory gym and playground provide a structured environment for developing sensory, communication, and motor skills.
Clarice Liechty, one of the major donors of the project, captured the emotion of the day…
[audio mp3="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/1065/2024/06/06150421/Liechty-ACC.mp3"]The new campus solidifies Anne Carlsen Center’s commitment to the Jamestown region and its statewide impact. Serving individuals and families across North Dakota and Minnesota, the center operates additional locations in Fargo/Moorhead, Valley City, Bismarck, Minot, Bottineau, Devils Lake, and Grand Forks. The organization employs just under 600 individuals in various medical, educational, and support positions.
Together, this network of caregivers continues the legacy of Dr. Anne Carlsen, who provided greater independence and quality of life for individuals with medically and behaviorally complex needs. Dr. Carlsen, born without forearms or lower legs, dedicated her life to the center, serving as a teacher, administrator, and mentor. Her life’s work lives on through the countless people served by the center over the last 80 years.