On October 15 at 9:30 a.m., Presbyterian Village North will host a ceremonial groundbreaking for phase one of a major expansion project that will enhance the lives of current and future residents, as well as members of the public in North Texas. The $93 million project includes the addition of two independent living buildings, assisted living units, memory care apartments and services, a lifestyle fitness center, a transitional care unit, a chapel and a central park with a water feature and a pavilion. A ceremonial turning of dirt will take place to commemorate the beginning of the expansion project that will provide at least 150 new full-time jobs.
“We are thrilled to bring more amenities to our campus while enhancing the type of care we provide,” said Ron Kelly, executive director of Presbyterian Village North. “This project will allow us to add assisted living memory care to our campus. As the number of seniors living with Alzheimer’s is increasing, we are seeing a need to add this service to our existing Alzheimer’s program. In addition, a new transitional care unit will enhance our quality rehab services in a specially designed area that focuses on helping patients transition from the hospital to their homes. Our community has a bright future ahead, and I am excited to see our vision become a reality.”
Population projections provided by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services estimate that the population of persons 60+ in Dallas County will increase 19.5 percent by 2019. The expansion project will add 350,000 square feet to the Presbyterian Village North community and will fulfill the needs of an additional 200 seniors annually in Dallas.
“I came to Presbyterian Communities and Services for the opportunity to make this campus a national model of excellence,” said Ric D’Amico, director of project development for Presbyterian Communities and Services. “We are making deliberate choices in the design and development to ensure that we create a community where the residents will thrive and truly live life to the fullest.”
The new lifestyle fitness center will be the jewel at the center of campus with an additional swimming pool, Jacuzzi spa, locker rooms, and an expansion of the group exercise area. This building will have a spa suitable for massages and other spa-like activities, a clinic for physicians and other clinicians, and a café that will boast a light and healthy menu. In addition, the community will have a sizable park area with a water feature and pavilion. The new transitional care unit will include 60 beds available to residents and the community—as transitional care between the hospital and home. Presbyterian Village North already has a HydroWorx 3500 therapy pool and will be adding a second one as the need for the aquatic therapy program continues to grow, allowing the community to serve more residents and members of the public.
The expansion will also involve the development of Leonard Rose Villas featuring 48 independent living suites. Connected to the lifestyle fitness center will be Martins Landing, an independent living apartment building with 56 new apartments. Joyce Hall, Presbyterian Village North’s current assisted living building with 75 apartments, will add another 71 new apartments on three floors. The bottom two floors will consist of memory care apartments, with the top floor made up of assisted living apartments. The expansion of Joyce Hall will create more space to care for residents in need of memory support.
“We are thankful for the support that we have from the surrounding community and from the government officials representing our district,” said Godwin Dixon, chief executive officer of Presbyterian Communities and Services. “Our organization prides itself on making a positive impact on the lives of others, and we are eager to start the expansion, as it will create exceptional opportunities for seniors, their families and members of the public who need our services. Our community was recently named one of the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, and the expansion will allow us to provide even more amenities and services to help residents lead active, fulfilling and meaningful lives.”