Construction of The Elden retirement residence is on track for a December opening.
“Everything is going very, very well,” said Patrick Brown, operations. “The goal for us is to have a great big Christmas Party in the building.”
Brown was speaking at an information night for The Elden, July 31. Held at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, next door to the residence, Brown was joined by David McEachern, operator; and Jaime Robertson, sales and marketing manager. The team answered questions, provided details, and offered a tour of the completed showrooms.
Work is continuing on the 152 suites in the six-storey building, and the amenities – from the dining rooms to the theatre-library-bistro social centre; community kitchen to a spa with beauty salon, fitness centre and wellness facilities – that will provide services to residents.
But the heart of The Elden will be its philosophy, said McEachern, calling it an “unretirement residence.”
He explained, “It refers to doing things just a little bit differently… The number of activities will open the door to a pretty exciting life. For us, it’s a philosophy. We wanted to build something different for everybody.”
“We’re trying to take a different approach to the industry,” said Brown. “We’re trying to make something exciting that people want to be part of.”
The Elden team also described the suites, ranging from studio to two bedroom – all of which are equipped with kitchenette, walk-in shower, in-suite temperature controls, large windows with window coverings supplied. Some are handicapped accessible.
Included in the monthly rental fee are weekly housekeeping, all meals and snacks, TV, internet, phone service “and smiles,” said Brown.
“There will be lots of choices for meals,” promised McEachern, a former Red Seal Chef, including two specials each day, and a choice of “comfort foods” – chicken pot pie, lasagna, mac ‘n cheese – available at any time.
There is no underground parking. Instead, valet parking service is included in $50 per space monthly parking fee. A staff member will clean off, warm up, and bring the car around to the front door, for those residents who drive.
But the biggest difference will be in the range of activities offered, said Robertson. “People are always asking me what’s different about The Elden. I say, the lifestyle!”
In addition to daily exercise, and a range of clubs for book-lovers, newshounds, bridge and euchre fans, singers and dancers, there will also be crafts, gardening, themed evenings and a variety of trips, off-site.
Mystery tours, dog-sledding, casino trips, even a tour of Toronto’s Distillery District on Segways, and hot air balloon rides - “We’re going to push the boundaries,” Robertson said. “Your suite is really just the place to hang your hat.”
“Everything from small, interesting things, to big crazy things,” promised Brown. “Fostering an exciting place to be in, with lots to do, and lots of ideas.”
Questions from the audience ranged from the prices (which start at $3,099 for a studio suite, all inclusive), to the availability of gluten-free and diabetic options on the menu, and what happens in a power outage.
They were assured that the building is equipped with a generator, which will keep elevators, security systems, lights, fridges and freezers in the commercial kitchen, and one outlet in each suite supplied with power during an outage.
Robertson and McEachern then provided a short tour of The Elden’s showrooms.
“This is fantastic,” said Bradford resident Gord Young.
The Elden, located at 3131 Line 8 in Bradford, has begun signing leases for suites. “We’re way ahead of our schedule,” said McEachern. For more information, visit the website or call 905-775-1700.
