Local seniors get their own crib

WASILLA — Construction on the $13 million Primrose Retirement Community is in the final stages, and the doors to the 100,000-square-foot independent and assisted-living community are projected to open June 1.

When completed, the community off Lucille Road will have eight semi-detached villas, 36 independent living apartments and 32 assisted-care residences. Following the master plan of other Primrose properties, the community should have about 100 residents.

Primrose, based in South Dakota, runs retirement communities all across the West. They have 22 other facilities, and this is their first in Alaska, according to marketing manager Jessica McGill-Berberich.

The company was founded by Jim Thares when Thares tried to find a community for his grandfather, said McGill-Berberich. He found all the other facilities too restrictive for an independent lifestyle, so he decided to build his own.

Howdie Nugent, owner of Howdie, Inc., was attracted to the idea of independent living for seniors and approached Primrose about building a facility in Wasilla. They had never thought about Alaska before, but agreed so long as Howdie, Inc. acted as a partner and general contractor, said McGill-Berberich.

Subcontractors on the project included Southcentral Mechanical, General Mechanical, JC Electric, Denali Homes and Spartan Roofing. Throughout construction, Primrose flew up building consultants to give their input.

Building their 23rd community, many of the small details are the direct result of input from seniors themselves, said Kristen Woods, the nurse manager. For example, the window sills are lower so seniors can see out while sitting in a chair and the wall outlets are raised so seniors can plug things in without bending as far over.

Also essential to the design is the emphasis on community and convenience. The independent and assisted living rooms are built around a main building that houses the dining facility and entertainment amenities.

On the first floor is the restaurant and garden cafe. Instead of the buffet of most senior facilities, every employee of Primrose runs table service to the diners. Each resident gets a noon meal included, and the assisted living residents get three meals a day plus a 24-hour snack service.

Upstairs is a beauty salon and barber shop, ‘50s-style ice-cream parlor, theater, library, gym, physical training room, billiards room and Irish pub. The community does not have a liquor license, but residents are welcome to store their drinks in the locked cabinets.

The community is going to partner with services throughout the Valley, said McGill-Berberich. There will be coordination with the other senior centers in Palmer and Wasilla, and Mat-Su Regional Hospital has offered to provide services for a discounted rate.

Additional on-site facilities include 24-hour on-call staff, van rides to the community, limited medical services and wireless emergency call buttons in each room.

The villas are 1,600 square feet, have two bedrooms, a four-season sun room and a one-car garage. There are two options for independent living: a two-bedroom, 1,040 square-foot unit or a one-bedroom at 860 square feet. The assisted-living rooms have a kitchenette and one or two bedrooms, the smaller being 575 square feet and the larger at 720 square feet.

Currently, 17 of the total units have been reserved, but there is only one villa left. Future residents can reserve their spot with a security deposit, 100 percent of which is refundable up to 30 days after the community opens.

Throughout the community, the idea of independence influences everything, according to Woods.

“This is their home,” Woods said. “In no way do we tell them what time to go to bed, what time to wake up, or when to do what. We are not here to do for them. We are here for them to do.”

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-=2252.