The air was chilly and the ground soggy, but about three dozen residents, their kin, employees and chamber members were warmed by the good-hearted nature of the Valley Park West Retirement Center groundbreaking March 22.
Within eight months of opening March 1, 2017, the 18-bed facility was full, Director Ernie Timbrook said.
The six-bed, 4,000-square-feet expansion will extend from the sunroom and include a larger family room, a conference room and a workout room.
Most current residents took a turn with the gold-painted shovel, for many reminiscent of their gardening years.
Resident Johnny Brooks made the first cut into the soppy sod. Recuperating from a stroke about a year ago and the loss of his wife about a month ago, he said he enjoys living at the facility, particularly because of the exercise and activities offered.
The California facility, at Country Meadows and Windmill Ridge Road, is the newest of three properties owned by the Thomas and Patsy Hoeferlin family. Valley Park also has an 18-bed facility in Fulton and a 22-bed facility in Holts Summit.
It was built with this expansion in mind. And, there is more room to grow, though there are no plans for it.
Although no date of completion has been set, three of the six rooms already have been reserved, Timbrook said.
The existing facility provides three home-cooked meals and four activities daily. Housekeeping, laundry, transportation and media are included. And assistance with medicine and hygiene is available.
The addition will benefit the present residents, as well as new ones, he said.
For example, currently Wednesday and Sunday church services are held in the narrow activities room. The family room in the expansion will more easily accommodate such activities, Timbrook said.
The retirement center has about 15 employees and will add more jobs, upon completion of the new wing.
On the web: www.valleyparkretirement.com