After what seems like years, the managers at Creighton Lodge feel like they finally have some direction.
It's no secret that the seniors' living complex is full. The building of 46 residents is sitting with a waiting list of 87. Why Creighton Lodge is so successful is partially because of the atmosphere provided for its residents. It's a place where socializing is important and activities are many.
The recreational space, however, is too cramped when the majority of residents are looking for entertainment, like when a musical act is brought in to perform. People file into hallways to listen, because the main seating area isn't fit to hold the entire house of residents as well as provide space for the performers.
There have been plans in the works for about three years to extend the main hall out into the front of the property, adding enough space to make it comfortable for everyone to enjoy music, games and activities inside.
Fundraising began, but several snags slowed the plans as the aging building fell into question. Managers Judy Pratt and Shelley Veroba received mixed reports of water damage from overhangs and the possibility that the entire roof would need to be replaced.
For months everything went on hold as a number of people came in to inspect the building. Earlier this spring, they received the final report from an engineer hired to look into any potential problems. The roof is fine, and aside from some replacements to the overhangs, there aren't too many repairs that need to be done.
The overhangs will need to be redone with a cost of just under $100,000. That work will begin mid-July. Pratt is just happy the entire roof doesn't need to be replaced.
"What a blessing that we don't have to replace the roof," said Pratt. "They've said 'you've got probably 20 years left in the roof.' That really made biggest difference to us."
When the engineer was brought in for the inspection, Pratt said they wanted to know if the building could handle the proposed addition, and there were no problems found in that regard.
"We're very excited about getting the go ahead and confirming that we are going ahead with the expansion," said Pratt, who said they will be upgrading the fire detection system as well.
Creighton Lodge regularly receives donations from the community, and some of that is set aside for the new lounge while other funds are dedicated to other maintenance and upgrades required in the building.
The original idea was a lounge expansion budgeted at $350,000, but Pratt said they soon learned that would only get them a box.
"Our heads were in the clouds. We didn't realize when we started this what an expansion like this would cost," said Pratt, noting that the increase in construction costs caught everyone a little off guard. "We want to do it nicely, and we'd like to change the roof so it's not flat to give it a little detail."
They are now looking at raising close to $600,000 for the expansion. She said they may be scaling back the initial size of the addition as well to reach those budget constraints.
"We do want the money in the bank before we do it. We're not about to be taking out a loan. It's not going to happen this year or maybe next year. We're looking at maybe three years now before we can start construction."
The timeline has been stretched from what they were originally anticipating, but Pratt said she is relieved to have direction and a plan.
"We're feeling very comfortable about anything that we do here," she said. "We're very happy to get this direction."
She noted fundraising will be ongoing until they reach their goal.
Other projects will continue in the meantime, like window replacement. Another 17 windows, about $10,000 worth, will be replaced over the summer or into the fall. They have 71 windows left to replace, and when that is complete, every opening window will have been replaced in the building.
Pratt said the support the lodge has received has been great and is testament to what many in the community will want for themselves one day.
"We are going to want to live in a place like this, only we are going to want it nicer and newer with more amenities, and it's not going to be here for us," she said.
