A new location has been chosen for a planned birthing center in Winfield due to licensing requirements, the nurse-midwife behind the project said Wednesday.
Tarena Sisk, a nurse-midwife practicing in Winfield, had previously hoped to start a freestanding birth center at the former Iron Gate Inn at 1203 E. Ninth Ave.
However, licensing requirements from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment say all birthing rooms must be on the ground floor, something that would be hard to do in the multi-story home, also called the Baden House after its first owners.
Sisk has made an offer to buy a former group home owned by the Easter Seals-Capper Foundation at 1726 Chicago Ave., contingent on financing. This house is already ADA compliant and would meet licensing requirements, Sisk said.
Sisk and the current owner of the Iron Gate Inn petitioned the Winfield planning commission in February for a zoning change, which was granted Monday. She also has a Kickstarter campaign, trying to raise $25,000 to go toward the birth center. Having more money to put toward closing will make a big difference, Sisk said.
(Read more: The Arkansas City Traveler)