The shutdown of Pendletons Blue Mountain Recovery Center has been delayed another three months.

Money was supposed to run dry at the end of the year forcing the center to close. But in another last-minute save of the 60-bed psychiatric facility, Senator Bill Hansell (R-Athena) confirmed that the Senate will approve BMRC funding through March.

Representative Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton) said Friday he is 99 percent confident the House also will approve the psychiatric facilitys extended budget. The third gate, Governor John Kitzhaber, has assured Jenson of his approval.

The three-month extension gives more than $2 million in funding and a bit more time to BMRC. Supporters still hold out hope for finding a use for the main facility.

Hopefully given that additional time, we can come up with more of a plan, city councilor Chuck Wood said. Were going forward with the three new facilities, but they are still inadequate for the needs in Eastern Oregon.

The state has promised funding for three cottages on BMRCs campus, enough to keep 15 high-need patients and 40 employees.

But until a new state hospital in Junction City hospital is completed in 2015, the state doesnt have enough beds to take in the other 45 BMRC patients. If patients transfer to Oregon State Hospital, they displace other patients in line for the facility.

Although BMRC superintendent Kerry Kelly hadnt yet made plans from the news, she revealed her relief as she talked through a smile Friday.

Its still a bit premature to have made any decisions yet, Kelly said, adding she had a few meetings planned over the next week.

Ideas are floating about what needs the site could fill, including using it as a geriatric facility for aging prisoners.

In the meantime, its cheaper to keep BMRC running. Closing and reopening the Pendleton facility would mean spending millions to retrofit old systems in the structure that have been grandfathered in over the years. It also means starting from scratch in the search for employees. BMRC has nearly 100 employees now, although 12 found work at Oregon State Hospital and eight plan to retire upon the closure.

The Senates extra BMRC funding hinged on Hansells vote for Octobers grand bargain.

I did what I thought was best regardless, Hansell said. But I think a lot of people saw that and said, He cast a tough vote. Lets see if we can reach out to him.

Jenson said hes had a few sleepless nights in his nearly 20-year fight to keep BMRC open. Hes relieved there might be a few more on the horizon.

When you can get (Hansell and I) agreeing and focusing on a problem, its somewhat difficult for the legislative body to ignore it, Jenson said.

Contact Natalie Wheeler at nwheeler@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0836.