Officials from a potential buyer of the building that houses Lakeside Health in Chippewa Falls say they have yet to sign a deal to buy the facility, despite published reports claiming otherwise.

The administrator at Dove Healthcare in Eau Claire says that company has been interested in the building since September, when Lakeside officials announced they would close down the nursing home at the end of January.

Jim Deignan says although the potential is still there for an agreement, premature announcements Wednesday will affect residents, workers, even the deal itself by a month.

"We're very hopeful that if this deal can be accomplished, we look forward to a successful transition of that facility to new ownership," said Deignan.

"The Governor wants to keep the facility open to best serve the needs of the residents, employees, and community," Republican State Senator Dave Zien said. "There's a meeting tomorrow, but all parties are getting together and we're hopeful it'll be written in a little while."

Officials from the building's owner, Extendicare, also say there's no signed deal or definitive plan. Lakeside has been scheduled to close at the end of January for nearly two months.