The Elden of Bradford retirement residence passed another milestone this week.
On Monday, the 152-suite building, located at Sideroad 10 and Line 8 in Bradford West Gwillimbury, officially opened its showroom — not with a ribbon-cutting, but with a nail-hammering, since construction is still underway.
BWG Mayor Rob Keffer and councillors Ron Orr and Peter Ferragine joined MPP-elect Caroline Mulroney, South Simcoe Police Chief Andrew Fletcher, and Bekerman Properties president Dale Beasse in the future dining hall, to pose with hammers and nails.
Beasse thanked town council and staff for their support, and for the Seniors Housing Community Improvement Plan incentives that helped offset the cost of development charges.
“The support that we’ve had is over the top,” said Beasse. “Brilliant. I can’t tell you an experience I’ve had that’s more than this.”
He praised council for its leadership in setting seniors’ accommodation as a priority.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of your community, and I hope to be here for a long time.”
Keffer credited council with setting priorities to ensure “we have different styles of housing for seniors.”
He praised the new facility, which will offer “engaged and active” seniors not only an opportunity to stay in their community, but a full range of activities and amenities.
“They’ve been the volunteers that did so much to create the atmosphere that is the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury,” Keffer said. “This is impressive… A great addition to the Town of BWG.”
The guests, some already on the waiting list for accommodation at The Elden, donned hard hats for a tour of the facility.
They started in the completed garden room, where residents will be able to grow flowers and herbs, viewed the model studio, and one- and two-bedroom suites on the main floor, and then visited the construction zone, which encompasses library, bistro, theatre, and dining areas.
David McEachern, in charge of operations, led the tour.
He described some of the features of the suites — from “easy open” doors to help residents with walkers get in and out of their apartments easily, to wider-than-usual rooms, and grab bars in the bathrooms.
The Elden will offer two levels of service (independent living and assisted living), but all residents will receive three meals a day plus snacks from the gourmet kitchen, weekly housekeeping, and full access to activities that range from live entertainment, to crafts and cards. Phone service, basic cable and Internet are included.
“It’s kind of a hybrid hotel-cruise ship residence,” McEachern said, with no “add ons” except for health and personal care, billed by the minute.
As for the kitchen, he promised it would deliver outstanding meals — and it would be happy to include residents’ favourites.
“Bring us your recipes. We’re happy to incorporate those in the menu,” he said.
In addition to providing seniors’ accommodation and paying taxes in the community, The Elden will also provide jobs.
When fully leased, the facility will employ approximately 85 staff, McEachern noted.
“Lots of entry-level positions for people in the community, but also skilled positions like nurses.”
“I’m very proud of this project. It’s been a long time coming to Bradford,” said Jaime Robertson, sales and marketing manager for The Elden. “It’s going to be a great place to live. We call it an unretirement residence.”
The Elden is located on lands acquired from St. John’s Presbyterian Church.
For more information, contact Jaime Robertson at 905-775-1700 or [email protected].
