CEDAR SPRINGS RETIREMENT RESIDENCE
While construction crews only physically broke ground on the newly opened Cedar Springs Retirement Residence in North Vancouver in 2011, parent company Pacific Arbour has been building a solid foundation in the Seymour community for the better part of five years.
One of the company's pledges was to hire as many local residents as possible.
Making good on that promise, ninety per cent of the staff at Cedar Springs hails from the North Shore, such as food and beverage manager Joseph Schefer, a former chef at the Fairmont Vancouver; recreation manager Lisa Waterman, who formerly worked at West Vancouver's Hollyburn House; resident services manager and North Vancouver native Janet Ross; and Cindi Johnston, Sales and Marketing Manager, also a North Shore native. "We've found some amazing people in this neighbourhood and they're very excited to work here," says Cedar Springs general manager Earl Bergen. "Most of our managers have not done a new building opening before, so for them to see it from the ground up and to actually hire and train their own department staff to their standards has been a treat for them."
Regional retention rates don't only apply to the staff - besides the longtime local residents who are moving into Cedar Springs, it's also luring a number of North Shore expatriates back to their old stomping grounds.
Bergen estimates that thirty per cent of the inaugural class of Cedar Springs is comprised of former residents of North or West Vancouver who are staging a homecoming of sorts.
"Some of (the tenants) are returning to the North Shore," says Bergen. "At some point in their lives they decided to retire to the Valley or some place else but their children stayed on the North Shore and now that the parents have aged they're able to come back to the North Shore to be closer to their kids and their old neighbourhood."
Cedar Springs' rental-only condominium units are spacious, well-appointed and inviting and offer residents a fixed, manageable cost each month. "There are no surprises," says Bergen. "At the end of the month our residents know what their bill is going to be. It gives them peace of mind but it also helps them plan financially as well."
Rental fees include weekly housekeeping, laundry faccilities, in-house, chef-prepared meals, a shuttle service and in-suite comforts like heat, hydro and cable. Amenities-wise, Cedar Springs offers residents a fireside lounge, fitness centre, bistro for casual dining, billiards and games area, library, business centre, and art and music rooms, among other perks. The landscaped grounds also include a large putting green and patio.
As is the case with many retirement communities, Pacific Arbour - which also operates The Summerhill in Central Lonsdale and The Mulberry in Burnaby - places a premium on social activities such as weekly outings, movie nights, fitness classes and various clubs that help seniors eschew an isolated lifestyle.
"It's just one way that we help our residents stay connected to the community at large. When they're in a retirement community like this, services are coming in, we're right across the street from doctors' offices and a pharmacy and they're completely connected with everything again. There's no isolation. They really connect with a new social circle, and that's wonderful.
"It's such a great experience to wake up every morning, go down for coffee and know that your neighbours are there."
Bergen is unabashed about his respect and admiration for the clients who will call the newest jewel in the Pacific Arbour crown home.
"It's a great population to work with," says Bergen. "They have such incredible history and are so willing to share with us. All too often we seem to put seniors in a corner and think they've already given all they can to society, My belief is no, now is the time for them to share that history with us."
GET TO KNOW ME
What is your favourite family activity?
Probably walking the family dog, a cairn terrier. Her name's Maggie but she gets called "Toto" all the time. She loves swimming at any of the dog beaches - West Vancouver, Spanish Banks, Kits.
What is your favourite food?
Anything Italian. I toured Italy a few years ago and it was the best food and beverage experience I've had anywhere. You're geared up for every meal because they have such passion for the food and wine."
Do you have much free time?
Right now, I have none. When I do, I love to go for a run. I also golf every so often, but like most, I'm a horrible golfer.
What's your favourite place to take out-of-town guests?
It's probably the Grouse Mountain Skyride. People are just fascinated by that. The views are phenomenal and it's a great experience. Also, Lynn Canyon Park.
