(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

crimson villas

Red Deer’s newest seniors living facility now open

Jun 18, 2021 | 1:52 PM

A major addition to seniors living in Red Deer is now open.

The $28.3 million Crimson Villas began welcoming residents May 19, and expects to fill most of its 90 suites by this fall.

The building is located at 4736-30 Street in the Bower neighbourhood.

“It was pretty amazing to open. When residents started to show up and move in, their eyes were like a kid’s on Christmas Day, and that made it all worthwhile,” says Geoff Olson, Executive Director, Bridges Community Living. “These folks went from some pretty small dorm-style rooms into one-bedroom apartments.”

Crimson Villas replaces the former 65-unit Piper Creek Lodge, where suites were between 150 and 300 square feet. By the end, around 40 were suites being used.

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A suite inside the new Crimson Villas. (Supplied)

“The suites now are over 500 square feet with a barrier-free washroom, a big bedroom, living and dining area, all in their own suite. It just doesn’t even compare to anything else we operate in the city,” says Olson.

“This is 21^st century kind of living in terms of a subsidized housing environment. The building is pretty much self-sufficient, we have a generator that’s 10-times bigger than we’ve ever had should the power go out, there’s room for people to exercise, there’s a craft room, a dining room; it’s just night and day.”

Bridges Community Living serves low to moderate income seniors, ages 55+.

There is no waitlist for Crimson Villas, Olson notes.

“A building like this is really crucial. We must have homes that meet the needs of seniors. You can move in here at age 65 and never have to move out.”

A seating area inside the new Crimson Villas. (Supplied)

The site also offers an outdoor courtyard and patios that overlook Sunnybrook Farm.

According to the Ministry of Seniors and Housing, construction of the project finished ahead of schedule and on budget. The project also created 204 jobs, with about 25 staff currently on hand.

A grand opening event is being planned for some time after public health restrictions ease.

Adds Olson: “You’re probably not going to see anything in the provincial lodge program like this anywhere else in Alberta.”