Since opening its doors 10 years ago, Piper Shores has emerged as one of the most successful lifecare retirement communities in the country. While many retirement communities are struggling with a slow economy and soft real estate market, Piper Shores is moving ahead with construction of a $5 million master campus plan improvement project designed to appeal to the next generation of retirees as well as to provide upgraded amenities to current residents. The plan includes the construction of a 180-seat multi-purpose room for community-wide functions, a new swimming pool, a circuit training room, a fitness classroom as well as a beauty salon and spa. Hebert Construction Corporation of Lewiston, ME is expected to begin construction on the project on August 12, 2011 with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
Scarborough, ME (PRWEB) August 11, 2011
Ground Breaking on new spa, pool, fitness center and 180-seat multi-purpose room scheduled for August 12th
The creation of Maine’s first Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) 10 years ago this August not only required an act of the Maine State Legislature, but its founders also had to overcome a prolonged legal challenge by a neighbor and work through a labyrinth of local zoning ordinances. Long a passionate dream of well-respected community leaders, Piper Shores opened its door to the first residents in August 2001 and became the first retirement community in Maine to offer independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care for one predictable monthly fee.
“A Maine resident looking for the benefits afforded by a CCRC, or lifecare community, in the 1990s would have to look to neighboring states because there was no provision in Maine for a continuing care retirement community,” said Mert Henry, a Portland, Maine attorney and Piper Shores’ first board chairman who is writing an historical retrospective on Piper Shores’ founding in 2001. “Creating the framework for Piper Shores literally required an action by the legislature.”
Appealing to Boomers – $5 Million Master Plan Construction Announced
Over the past 10 years, Piper Shores has emerged as one of the most successful lifecare retirement communities in the country, according to Life Care Services, LLC (LCS), which manages over 100 lifecare retirement communities around the country. But Piper Shores is not resting on its laurels. While many retirement communities are struggling with a slow economy and soft real estate market, Piper Shores is moving ahead with construction this month to implement a $5 million master campus plan improvement designed to appeal to the next generation of retirees as well as to provide upgraded amenities to current residents. The plan includes the construction of a 180-seat multi-purpose room for community-wide functions, dancing and entertainment events. Additionally, a new swimming pool, a circuit training room, a fitness classroom as well as a beauty salon and spa are planned. Hebert Construction Corporation of Lewiston, ME is expected to begin construction on the project on August 12, 2011.
“One of the mistakes retirement communities make is to fail to recognize the need to constantly reinvent, re-position and to adapt to the needs of current and future residents,” said Michael Bierley, executive director for Piper Shores. “We recognize how important health and wellness are to our current residents as well as to the next generation of retirees. Our board of directors is taking steps to keep Piper Shores offerings appealing and relevant to baby-boomers who are now starting to retire.”
In developing its fitness center plans, Piper Shores invited the University of New England’s Applied Exercise Science (AES) department to conduct a comprehensive resident needs assessment. The students then made specific recommendations in terms of room layout and equipment selection, optimized for an older population.
“I am so thrilled for this new facility,” said Ann Cowles of U-ExCEL (Exercise and Conditioning for Easier Living) who runs seven group fitness classes at Piper Shores for residents. “Having the new exercise facility will add a different dimension for exercise at Piper Shores. I foresee more individualized programs using the conditioning room to help increase fitness goals and resident well-being.”
About Piper Shores
Piper Shores is the only nonprofit lifecare retirement community in Maine and the first to be recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC) – the nations’ only accrediting body for continuing care retirement communities. Built in 2001 in a style that complements Maine’s architectural heritage, Piper Shores is located on 138 acres of beautiful oceanfront property, situated between Higgins Beach and historic Prouts Neck in Scarborough, Maine. Piper Shores is an innovative retirement community that promotes the long-term wellbeing of its residents through a continuum of activities and lifecare services. Piper Shores’ residents enjoy active, independent lifestyles with guaranteed priority access to on-site assisted living and skilled nursing care, whenever they may need it.
Piper Shores is owned by Maine Life Care Retirement Community, Inc., a Maine nonprofit organization, formed by a group of accomplished local individuals to deliver the shared vision of creating an ideal retirement community on the coast of Maine. Life Care Services, LLC, the nation’s leading developer and manager of senior living communities, provides management services for Piper Shores.
For more information, visit http://www.pipershores.org or call 207-510-5207.
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Andrea Killiard
Piper Shores
207-510-5207
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