Tri-Cities Chaplaincy announces $3.5 million renovation of Kennewick Hospice House

The Brief

Tri-Cities Chaplaincy is renovating Hospice House in Kennewick, the region’s only inpatient hospice facility, for $3.5 million.
This marks the first major renovation since the facility opened in 1996. Improvements include an expanded entryway, a larger nurse station, and new family spaces.
Construction will take 4-6 months, during which hospice care will continue through home services and partner facilities.

KENNEWICK, Wash. — A place that has provided comfort and peace to terminally ill patients and their families for nearly three decades is getting a significant upgrade. Tri-Cities Chaplaincy has announced a $3.5 million renovation project for Hospice House in Kennewick, marking the first major renovation to the facility since it opened in 1996.

The comprehensive renovation aims to modernize the region’s only inpatient hospice facility while enhancing patient, family, and staff spaces. Construction is expected to last between four and six months.

The renovation plans include several significant improvements to the facility. The front entryway will be expanded to create a more welcoming entrance for patients and visitors. The nurse station will be enlarged to improve workflow and efficiency for medical staff providing round-the-clock care.

Family spaces throughout the facility will receive updates to create more comfortable environments for loved ones spending time with patients. One of the most meaningful additions will be a new fireside room specifically designed for reflection and remembrance.

Tara Divers, Director of Philanthropy at Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, explained the importance of this new space: “We have an endowment wall that many people have donated to—this beautiful wall with names engraved on plaques with quotes and whatnot. It’s in a hallway, and we have a lot of donors who like to come back and visit their loved ones’ names on the wall. Right now, they’re just standing in a hallway. We want to make that a more meaningful place.”

The endowment wall has become an essential memorial for many families in the Tri-Cities area, and the renovation will transform it from a hallway display to a dedicated space where visitors can comfortably reflect and honor their loved ones.

Tri-Cities Chaplaincy will continue providing hospice care through alternative arrangements during the renovation period. Patients will receive care in their homes or partner healthcare facilities throughout the region, ensuring no service interruption.

The $3.5 million project is being funded through multiple sources. State grants have been secured to cover some of the costs, and the organization has a pending land sale to contribute additional funding. However, Tri-Cities Chaplaincy notes that community support remains essential to fund the renovation fully.

Hospice House has served thousands of Tri-Cities residents since opening its doors in 1996. The facility provides specialized care for terminally ill patients who cannot remain at home during their final days, offering medical care, pain management, emotional support, and spiritual guidance in a home-like setting.

The renovation project comes as demand for hospice services continues to grow nationwide. As the population ages and awareness of hospice benefits increases, facilities like Hospice House play an increasingly vital role in community healthcare systems.

Community members interested in supporting the renovation project can contact Tri-Cities Chaplaincy directly for information about donation opportunities.

Hospice House has been a beacon of compassion in the Tri-Cities community for nearly three decades. With these renovations, Tri-Cities Chaplaincy aims to ensure it continues that mission, providing peace, comfort, and dignity to patients and families during life’s most challenging moments.

The project is expected to be completed by late 2025, with updates on progress to be shared throughout the construction process.