I’ve been a visitor to homes in the Grandview Heights seniors subdivision several times, and I’ve been impressed with the way the homes are arranged on the landscape, some with generous views and others simply places to live and enjoy peace. I’ve also been impressed with the layout of the individual homes for those wanting to downsize—something many people getting older are considering.
I recently visited the overseers of the project, the Grandview board of directors. I traveled to their sales office on the western edge of the property and wasn’t sure what to expect. When I entered the small building I felt, perhaps, I was entering the domain of the Inquisition. Grandview grand master, Elmer Verigin, however, soon set me at ease, and after a few smiles and pleasant introductions to the board members, I felt right at home.
I don’t mean I want a home up there in Grandview Heights, and I’m far from needing the care centre they’d like to build, but the area, the homes, and the current planning are quite attractive. At present it is an excellent place to live and will get better when the next phase, the supportive living component, kicks in.
On the day of my visit I was of secondary interest. Yes, I was heartily welcomed, but the board was clearly awaiting the arrival of Hendrik Van Ryk, a revered figure in the board’s eyes, as he is the chief operations officer for H & H Total Care Services from the Lower Mainland. This company manages facilities, mostly for seniors, in a number of British Columbia cities including White Rock, Surrey, Kamloops, and Penticton.
When the expected guest arrived, I knew I was in the presence of a white knight. As he stated, his company chooses the sites they manage on the basis of human considerations as much as for profits. They do make money, but they seem truly to be interested in service satisfaction. Co-operative ventures are the focus for their management group, and that fits with the Grandview Heights ideal.
For the Grandview Heights board, Van Ryk outlined how his company manages the various facilities they’re involved in. Generally, they simply provide services such as hiring a manager and various workers. They look after meals, make sure housekeeping is done, and help those needing nursing care. In addition, they provide recreational services.
His company, H & H Total Care Services, will take on the new supportive care activities as Grandview expands, and that will take the pressure off the volunteer board. Right now, the Grandview Heights board has decided to move forward with building 62 supportive living units. To do so, they will pre-sell or get commitments for 31 of these units. Clearly, when that goal is reached, additional financing will follow.
The entire project once was a dream, but as Grandview moves toward creating Chateau Grandview, it is closer and closer to the original goal. What they’ve done already is more than a lot of people thought possible, but what they’re undertaking now carries the dream forward. These seniors have a lot to be proud of.
Units in the supportive living area are being marketed at $198,900 to $295,000 depending on the size and location that future residents prefer. The Grandview board already has about a dozen commitments and 20 more interested parties for the 31 units they want pre-sold before proceeding. They hope the rest of the prospective owners or investors can be signed up soon. That would enable construction to begin in late summer.
Once the first phase of Chateau Grandview is built, then Hendrik Van Ryk gets to return and provide the services needed for supportive living. I believe it won’t be long before that happens.
