Its goal is to redefine living for people age 55 and over. Forget the typical image of a seniors' retirement community. A new $75-million development now under construction in Edmonton's westend aims to dispel that picture.
Touchmark at Wedgewood, an innovative adult neighbourhood being constructed on a 24-acre site, will offer resort-style housing in addition to a broad range of services for active adults, and include both independent and assisted-living options.
The first phase, expected to be completed by late summer 2005, will consist of approximately 66 bungalows and a 117-suite apartment complex.
Future phases will add a health- services neighbourhood, which will also provide continuing-care services. A health and fitness spa - featuring a pool, workout facilities, and spa services such as massage therapy and aesthetics - is also planned. Additional luxury apartments are tentatively slated for construction in 2007.
"It's a new concept for Canada," says Michelle Belland, Touchmark at Wedgewood's chief operating officer. "It's born out of the thinking that folks who are 55-plus today and those who will move into that category will be looking for a different retirement experience. They'll be looking for an active lifestyle, a healthy lifestyle and one which will give them a social connectedness."
Touchmark at Wedgewood is funded by a pool of Edmonton investors, the Capital Health Authority and Touchmark. It is financed by HSBC.
"Those of us interested in Edmonton's future welcome this significant addition because it will make a difference in how Edmontonians think about their retirement years," Don Hamilton, one of the local investors, said in a press release.
"What makes Touchmark different," adds Belland, "is that we are creating an environment where neighbours will become very involved with each other in terms of outings and events. It will have that extra social aspect you wouldn't find in traditional communities. Our goal is trying to make you feel like you're on vacation 365 days a year."
To do that, Touchmark is starting with a scenic ravine location - the Wedgewood ravine - at 184th Street and Lessard Road.
Community residents will be able to choose from a variety of amenities including a library, beauty salon and barber shop services, health options, a chapel, fine dining, and facilities for hobbies. A regional trail system is also being developed to take advantage of the ravine-edge property.
Most of the people expressing interest in the development do not currently need the extended care offerings, says Belland. "But decades down the road if they need care, they'll know they don't have to move again."
By partnering with Capital Health on the health services neighbourhood component, residents will have the potential to access long-term or continuing care, which will include a focus on improved suites for people living with memory issues such as Alzheimer's and dementia, adds Belland.
"What the Touchmark project allows us to do is to have care across the continuum, for people who need the highest level of care, in place on the same campus. The unique thing about it is that it's in a residential model," says Caroline Clark, senior operating officer for Community Care Services with Capital Health.
"We're very pleased to have Touchmark as a new partner in this area. The campus concept is an important new way where we're able to provide those services to seniors in the community."
However, Clark points out Touchmark residents are not guaranteed one of the 32 continuing-care beds that will be located there. Those beds will be deployed, as necessary, through Capital Health's single-entry point health system.
Meanwhile, the assisted-living apartments will be aimed at people needing some non-medical help each day.
This assistance may include taking medications, personal hygiene care and other daily living tasks. These services will be provided through Touchmark.
Initial response has been extremely positive, says Belland. "We've had a lot of interest and I think it's because the site is amazing due to its ravine proximity, there's a lot of demand for bungalow dwellings in this city and this concept resonates with them. They like the aspect of a healthy, vibrant community with the safety net of care services."
The bungalows, which range in size from 1,400 to 2,400 sq. ft., start at prices of around $325,000. Apartment units, which offer more than 40 floor plans, range between 700 and 1,400 sq. ft. and prices begin at about $180,000.
The overall plan for the community sees the neighbourhood's focal point in the centre, with the bungalows around the perimeter, while the health-services component will be built in close proximity to the development's core where the apartment units will be located.
As Touchmark at Wedgewood is not a condo development, residents won't be subject to condo fees, though they will be charged a service fee. While the pricing structure is still being finalized, Belland says there will be a base charge, expected to include some housekeeping services, with other options available.
Touchmark, a privately held company based in Oregon, was founded in 1980 by Werner Nistler Jr., who continues to serve as CEO. It develops, owns and operates resort-style retirement communities, health and fitness clubs, home health and home-care agencies, and nursing and rehabilitation centers in eight U.S. states in addition to the Edmonton project.
(Laura Severs can be reached at laura@businessedge.ca)
