The Ontonagon Township Board has moved forward with a plan to establish a critical access hospital in the area. Since Aspirus Ontonagon closed its doors this past April, county officials have been searching for solutions to the lack of health care in the area. The township board accepted a donation of the former Maple Manor Nursing Center to be used as a critical care center where patients can be stabilized and sent to other hospitals. Renovations are being made to the building courtesy of business owner Norman Pestka, who says he’s funding the work because he cares about the community. The township also has plans to put out a request for proposals for a non-profit medical team to staff the center. The goal is to open the center by 2027