The ceremonial turning of the shovels, from left to right, Brian Tenney, Executive Director; Cyndi Stevenson, Florida State Representative; CEO Terry Rogers; Dr. Joan Hodges, Chair of the Resident Council; and the Rev. Dwight Bayley.
After a ceremonial turning of the shovels, construction set to begin on new Memory Care building, featuring 32 apartments and dedicated spaces for support of residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia
Today Westminster Woods on Julington Creek broke ground on its new Memory Care building, following Thursday’s ceremonial turning of the shovels. This new development will feature 32 apartments for Assisted Living residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia with dedicated, specialized amenities and spaces to support these residents.
The new Memory Care building is an expansion of the Life Plan Community, which serves more than 400 residents with Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Nursing Care, Rehabilitation and more. Residents will receive Memory Care and Assisted Living services in spaces custom-designed to support their needs. It will feature innovative and sustainable building features, designed as a set of small, secure neighborhoods with spacious private apartments, a memory garden and more.
The groundbreaking is just the latest phase in enhancing the Life Plan Community, and signals the ongoing commitment of Westminster Woods on Julington Creek to serving senior adults throughout greater Jacksonville, and to provide excellent choices in living options for today’s older adults. The Memory Care building was designed by THW Design of Atlanta, and will be built by Welbro Building Corp. of Maitland, Florida.
Westminster Woods on Julington Creek Executive Director Brian Tenney offered a warm welcome to the attendees, who included current residents, Westminster Communities of Florida executive leadership and board members, and special guests. Tenney said, “Over the years, Westminster Woods on Julington Creek has taken the opportunity to expand how we provide living options for our residents. We all know someone with dementia. There is a growing demand for intentional services to meet the individual needs of seniors with cognitive impairment, in a safe and comfortable environment.”
“Today is a special time,” said Terry Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Westminster Communities of Florida. “We are here celebrating a couple of things. Firstly, we are recognizing hope and renewal after a year of pandemic. It is just wonderful, seeing new things starting, after what we have been through. Secondly, it represents growth for us. This means that we will innovate. It will be state-of-the art. We will also create new care models for those older adults living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.”
Rogers added, “This is going to be a tremendously special opportunity to meet the needs of those who need us. The construction is a really significant investment in this campus, and it’s only the first one that we will have, for years to come. We will be supporting hundreds of jobs over the next few years in construction, and then in operation, when we open it to new residents. I can’t wait to see today’s shovel turning become reality.”
Dr. Joan Hodges, Westminster Woods on Julington Creek Resident Council Chair, celebrated the arrival of the new Memory Care building as helping to create the future of the community. “As this building rises from the ground, it carries with it the hopes and dreams of the current residents and those who will hopefully live in this space in the future,” Hodges said. “Together, our community will continue to grow, while still preserving the naturally beautiful landscape that is Westminster Woods on Julington Creek.”
State Representative Cyndi Stevenson, an honored guest, expressed her gratitude to the residents and team members of Westminster Woods on Julington Creek. Stevenson said, “It has been an honor to know people who work here, who have come here to live and to create their lives together, and create communities within the community. I am grateful to see all of your faces today, and I am looking forward to a great new year. Thank you.”
As part of the program, a blessing for the building and the community was also offered by the Rev. Dwight Bayley, a resident at the community.
Following the program, Bayley, Hodges, Rogers, Stevenson and Tenney participated in the ceremonial turning of the shovels. Construction is anticipated to begin in the coming weeks, with site work already under way.
To learn more about Memory Care, Independent Living, Assisted Living or Nursing Care at Westminster Woods on Julington Creek, call (904) 287-7300.
