Local dignitaries, as well as the bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, spoke at the ceremony, held near the new main entrance of the facility, located at 2400 Sixth Ave. N.

Bishop R. Walter Nickless said a prayer at the ceremony before speaking about the facility itself.

“I can’t believe it,” he said. “It’s just so beautiful and gorgeous.”

He even halfheartedly said it may be the perfect place for him to retire to.

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Bishop R. Walter Nickless, of the Diocese of Sioux City, speaks during the dedication of the Marian Home Thursday afternoon.

“And I already told one of the residents over there, ‘can I stay here in a couple of years when I retire?'” Nickless said. “‘Do you have a room for me?’ Because this is a beautiful, beautiful place.”

The remodel, which broke ground in 2015 and cost $13.1 million, shows how committed Catholics across the state are dedicated to taking care of those who need assisted living care, according to the bishop.

“Our Diocese of Sioux City is committed to the caring of the elderly and the sick, and this facility shows that in a beautiful, beautiful way,” Nickless said. “Our mission is to care for the least among us, and I want to thank all the people who are here who have entrusted their loved ones to us.”

Eric Halverson, executive director of the Marian Home, highlighted the changes that resulted from the renovation.

“It’s a great honor to continue to meet the needs of those who we currently serve, and completing a project that’ll benefit generations to come,” Halverson said. “The primary projects include adding more private rooms, dining areas, as well as building a new chapel.”

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Cameron Nelson, a Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance ambassador, looks at the new chapel inside the Marian Home. The newly-remodeled facility was dedicated Thursday.

Mayor Matt Bemrich said a project such as the Marian Home renovation “creates a sense of vibrancy” for everybody in town.

“This project demonstrates what happens when many work together in collabration to build something which serves others,” he said. “It also provides a great indicator of economic development which is taking place in our city, county and the great state of Iowa. We’re proud to have the Marian Home in our community and greatly appreciate the work it has done here to serve our valued Fort Dodge area residents with care and compassion.”

He also thanked the Catholic community of Fort Dodge, calling it “a shining example of what good faith-based communities can do” for their towns.

Brent Willet, president and chief executive officer of the Iowa Health Care Association, touted the Marian Home as one of the greatest assisted living facilities in the state.

“The Marian Home is one of our most shining examples of a member who is not only investing in its residents and its staff and its leadership through solid systems, quality metrics — this is one of the strongest-performing facilities across the state,” he said. “But also physically investing in the future.”

-Messenger photo by Peter Kaspari Tony Dorau, left, and his wife, Elaine Dorau, of Fort Dodge, applaud after the ribbon-cutting of the Marian Home Thursday afternoon.

Following the dedication and ribbon-cutting, a lunch was served while Marian Home staff provided guided tours of the newly-remodeled facility.