POMPANO BEACH — 5/03/2015 — With whistles blowing, more than 200 residents and guests helped signal the raising of a Christmas palm to the top of our new skilled nursing center, The Woodlands at John Knox Village.

This was the top highlight of the official Tree Topping Ceremony held on the morning of April 28 in the Heritage Tower parking lot.

In building construction, a Tree Topping (also known as a Topping Off Ceremony) is one of the industry’s oldest customs. It is celebrated once the last beam is in place or concrete is poured to complete the structure of the building.

The tree – donated by Nanak’s Landscaping, Inc. of Deerfield Beach – and a U.S. Flag was placed on top of the finished 7-story building.

There also were several guest speakers, including City of Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher, Chief Executive Officer Gerry Stryker, President Robert Scharmann, Board Member Dirk DeJong with a special closing blessing by resident Reverend Dr. David Jenkins.

“We also are here to recognize the outstanding efforts of The Weitz Company and construction crews – the individuals who have remained dedicated to this project and maintained a safe environment,” Mr. Stryker said.

Mr. DeJong assisted with the presentation of a golden broom to The Weitz Company representatives. “This broom represents a clean sweep for safety and announces that the construction has reached its top height without serious injury or serious loss of life,” he said.

DeJong and numerous other individuals are working to make this dream become a reality. Also recognized at the ceremony was: William Gallo (Owner’s Authorization Representative), of Gallo Herbert Architects; representatives from CECO Concrete Construction; and members of our Board of Directors and Foundation Board of Directors for their outstanding commitment to the project.

According to Mr. Scharmann, the whistle idea (with the new logo and tagline for The Woodlands at John Knox Village “Meaningful Life in a Loving Home”) came when he happened to walk onto the construction site and heard the ear-piercing sound of whistles.

He had asked Doug Just, Construction Superintendent with The Weitz Company, about them. “It became obvious that the whistles were blown to inform everyone on the site that the crane was lifting materials. It is definitely clear that safety is the number 1 priority,” he said.

Once open (expected 2016), the $34 million building will be Florida’s first skilled nursing center to adopt The Green House model of care.
This innovative, nationally recognized initiative was founded by THE GREEN HOUSE® Project. It acknowledges the individuality of seniors and honors their autonomy, choice, privacy and dignity. It’s a new level of person-centered care that gives seniors meaningful life in a loving home and empowers staff dedicated to protecting, sustaining and nurturing the lives of our seniors.

The building will feature of total of seven floors and 144 private rooms and bathrooms. Each of the top six floors will have two Green House homes that will accommodate 12 seniors per home for short-term rehabilitative services and long-term nursing care. The first floor features a multi-purpose convocation room, bistro, rehabilitation services, a spa and an area for training purposes.

For more information about The Woodlands at John Knox Village, visit the Website (www.woodlandsjkv.com).

Attendees blew whistles and watched as the Christmas palm, donated by Nanak’s Landscaping, Inc. in Deerfield Beach, was raised to the top of The Woodlands at John Knox Village.

More than 200 residents and guests, including some of our Board of Directors, Foundation Board of Directors and elected officials (City of Pompano Beach Commissioner Barry Moss pictured center), attended the official Tree Topping Ceremony for The Woodlands at John Knox Village.

Another significant moment was when a golden broom was presented to The Weitz Company representatives, Doug Just (holding broom), Construction Superintendent, and Chuck Congdon Jr. (at podium), Senior Project Manager. Also pictured are (left to right): Gerry Stryker, Chief Executive Officer; Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher; and Robert Scharmann, President.