Loomis Communities in midst of capital improvement projectsDate: 11/13/2023 Progress has continued on The Loomis Communities as an undertaking of $12.4 million in capital improvements to Loomis Village and Applewood has begun work throughout the summer and into the fall.
Construction for the year-long project started in the summer and will expand and add amenities to Loomis Village Independent and Assisted Living community in South Hadley and its Applewood Independent Living community in Amherst.
“These capital improvements are underway at our Loomis Village and Applewood communities represent significant upgrades designed to serve our current and future residents at these communities,” said Marge Mantoni, president and CEO of The Loomis Communities. “We take to heart our reputation as a leader in the senior living arena and know that improving and creating new and innovative living and common spaces is necessary. These revitalized common spaces, living spaces and new dining facilities will improve the quality of living for all those we serve.”
Mantoni told Reminder Publishing the two initial goals of the project were to add additional homes to due to the long waiting list they have and to provide additional space for residents to be active and socialize within the community. She added the project has been something the group has been targeting for about two decades and after refinancing some existing debt, the project was finally able to come to fruition this year.
Improvements currently underway at Loomis Village include the renovation of the community’s library and sunroom, and improvements to its village store, concierge desk and lobby. The $4 million construction project also includes renovation of the main dining room, a redesign of Phylly’s Café that will incorporate a small outside dining space, and the conversion of an existing private dining room into the Sanborn Billiards Room.
The plan also includes the development of a “flex bar” space outside of the Loomis Village auditorium where residents can gather before performances in a “happy hour” type setting. These improvements and additions of spaces in Loomis Village is exactly the type of setting they are seeking with the project as it ultimately promotes more socializing and an upgrade in areas of quality of life for the neighborhood.
“One of the pillars of our strategic plan was really focusing on the eight dimensions of wellness,” Mantoni said. “We talked to the residents and asked what would work for them from a social wellness perspective and they identified for example that they would love a billiards room.”
A corresponding $8.5 million capital improvement project is also underway at The Loomis Communities’ Applewood Independent Living community. Nine new apartments will be added at Applewood, new meeting spaces will be created and the community’s library will be expanded. The new apartments come as a huge addition according to Mantoni due to the long wait list they often have for interested residents.
A new courtyard garden will also be added to the existing space. Construction is expected to be completed for both projects by spring 2024.
Mantoni added feedback has been great thus far from residents from both communities and they were happy to have had the chance to give feedback on what they wanted from the project.
The collaboration has created a plan now in motion set to match what residents were looking for when given the opportunity to get involved in the projects.
“It enables greater opportunities for socialization,” Mantoni added. “It’s really the resident wellness initiatives and looking at our strategic plan which were really the drivers of us doing this project.
Construction services are being provided by C.E. Floyd Company who comes with extensive experience in building and remodeling spaces in senior living, hospitality and health care and has offices in Bedford, Massachusetts and in Connecticut.
The Loomis Communities is the longest serving, most experienced provider of senior living in the Pioneer Valley. As a not-for-profit organization, Loomis’ mission is to open doors to worlds of positive aging, serving residents on three campuses – Applewood in Amherst, Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield and Loomis Village in South Hadley — and through home and community-based services.
Mantoni added she was proud to be able to help make this project become a reality and the work Loomis Communities does as a nonprofit.
“Our mission is to open doors to worlds of positive aging and to be able to reinvest in the communities and work together with the residents to help identify that and keep it going. It’s really exciting,” Mantoni said.
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