Studer Community Institute

Racquet Club makes way for senior living

November 21, 2014
/ Ben Sheffler
/ economy

The old Pensacola Racquet Club is transforming into a $16 million senior living community, creating 50 new jobs for the city. A groundbreaking ceremony this week revealed the future site of Summer Vista, an 89-apartment complex, located at 3450 Wimbledon Dr. It will be managed by SRI Management, based in Florida, and is scheduled to open in spring 2016. "This is incredibly important to serve the community," says Mayor Ashton Hayward. "What's really unique about it is that it fits into the fabric of the neighborhood." The 75, 138-square-foot community will be constructed by The Douglas Co. It will feature a secured wing of 22 memory-care apartments for residents with Alzheimer's or dementia, as well as apartments that open up to a living room area instead of a hallway. The open living room concept is a new design trend for assisted living, says Patrick Duplantis, managing director of Hardcourt Development. In the living rooms will be a fireplace, a library, big screen televisions and places to play cards or games. "I think that's really unique and very different," Duplantis says. "It creates a social environment, which is very healthy for the residents." There will also be a full-service dining room, a bistro, therapy services, a fitness center, a spa, transportation, an outdoor fireplace, gardens and a nature trail. "This is a quality project," Hayward says. "They've put a lot of effort in this to do it first class." Shelley Kaiser, regional director of operations at SRI Management, said residents will be pleased with the construction as well as the services provided. "The communities, they can build them nice all over the country,” Kaiser says. “It's the services that you provide that make a difference, and that's where superior comes in." Walt Richards, who lives two houses down from the site, says everyone he knows in the neighborhood is excited about the new facility. "It's going to improve the property around here," Richards says. "This was getting so rundown it was bad, so I think it's going to be a good thing to have it done."

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Racquet Club makes way for senior living

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