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Assistant Managing Editor EAST LONGMEADOW A year after an unexpected fire scorched the opening of the highly anticipated Bluebird Estates, Holiday Retirement rebuilt the 117,000 square foot retirement community and it is now slated to have a December 2008 opening. On September 26, 2007 a fire engulfed the entire complex the very same day a luncheon was hosted at a nearby country club celebrating its near completion with prospective tenants. After 100 firefighters helped out the blaze, only a small fraction of the destroyed three-story building was left standing. Colson and Colson construction company were responsible for building the previous building as well, have started a new Bluebird Estates from the ground up and construction manager Tarry Michael said everything is right on schedule. "Everything is going real well and we're on schedule for opening for Dec. 31," Michael told Reminder Publications. The new property will stay in line with its original design and plans that included 130 units, a 35-slot carport, a barber/beauty shop and a theater room. "It's a beautiful facility. Our motto is if it's good for our residents, it's good for Holiday [Retirement]," Joe Proulx, who will manage the Bluebird Estates complex with his wife Beverly, said. Bluebird Estates is one of 300 communities owned by Holiday Retirement. This year's rebuild is in addition to three other communities Holiday slated to open this year as well. The fire, which was deemed arson a few days after it devoured the facility, is still under investigation. "Right now we're working in conjunction with Massachusetts Fire Marshall Office," Police Chief Doug Mellis said. "It's still an open case. We're working and following up on leads." | ||||||
