POMPANO BEACH – 7/19/2014 – On the morning of July 18, more than 350 residents, guests and community leaders gathered at John Knox Village for an historic event – the Groundbreaking Ceremony for our new health center, The Woodlands at John Knox Village.
The Village’s new skilled nursing center will be the first in Florida to adopt The Green House model of care. This model is an innovative, nationally recognized initiative that acknowledges the individuality of seniors and honors their autonomy, choice, privacy and dignity.
The new center will provide a new level of person-centered care that gives seniors meaningful life in a real home and empowers staff that is dedicated to protecting, sustaining and nurturing the lives of our seniors.
Construction of the $34-plus million building is expected to be completed by the fall of 2015 and open for occupancy shortly after then.
The event featured a number of guest speakers, including Susan Frazier, Director of THE GREEN HOUSE® Project.
“We are here today to embrace something incredible,” she said. “The essence of The Green House model is not only to provide a real home for elders, but to fill these homes with warmth and empower staff to create a loving environment.”
Other guest speakers were: Robert Scharmann, JKV President and CEO, who was Master of Ceremonies; William Knibloe III, Chairman, and Dirk DeJong, Vice Chairman, of our Board of Directors; residents David and Twylah Haun; Dr. Murray Todd, a Member of our Board and prominent Neurologist in Broward County; City of Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher; and resident John Dalsimer, President of the Foundation Board of Directors.
The Hauns talked about their visits to other Green House homes, as well as Twylah’s mother’s experience in our Health Center.
“At first, we were skeptical whether this type of care would work in a skilled nursing center,” David Haun said. “However, after visiting four other Green House communities in Texas, Arkansas, Alabama and the original home in Mississippi, we knew this was the right decision for JKV and our residents.”
The Woodlands at John Knox Village will feature a total of seven floors and 144 private rooms. Six of the floors are residential living, and the ground floor has a multi-purpose room, dining bistro and rehabilitation center.
Each residential floor will have two Green House homes. Each home has 12 private bedrooms and bathrooms surrounding an open living room (hearth), kitchen and dining area.
Mr. Scharmann, Bill Knibloe and Dirk DeJong thanked everyone who has helped with this project – from residents to Board Members to employees to our major vendors.
“This event celebrates the beginning of construction of the new ‘jewel’ on our campus,” Scharmann said.
The Woodlands at John Knox Village was designed by RDG Planning & Design (Architects John Birge, Scott Pfeifer and Kevin Ruff). The Village is closely working with Gallo Herbert Architects (William Gallo), which is serving as the Owner’s Authorization Representative. Also, The Weitz Company has been hired as the construction manager on this project.
After, the official groundbreaking with the gold shovels and hard hats was celebrated, some other photos were captured and refreshments served.
For more information about The Woodlands at John Knox Village, visit the Website (www.woodlandsjkv.com).
John Knox Village is a not-for-profit continuing care community that provides a full range of life-care services for those aged 62 and greater. The Village is located at 651 S.W. Sixth Street in Pompano Beach, just east of I-95 and south of Atlantic Boulevard. For more information, contact our Marketing Department, at (954) 783-4040, or visit us at (johnknoxvillage.com).
City of Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher discussed the impact The Woodlands at JKV will have on the community.
Dr. Murray Todd, a Member of the JKV Board of Directors and prominent Neurologist in Broward County, spoke about his experience with seniors and how this new center will impact the medical community.
The groundbreaking attendees were a mixture of Village residents, guests, community advocates, legislative leaders and JKV employees.
Officially breaking ground were (left to right): William Knibloe III, Board Chairman; William Gallo, Gallo Herbert Architects; John Dalsimer, resident and Foundation Board President; Dirk DeJong, Board Vice Chairman; Gerry Stryker, Chief Operating Officer; Robert Scharmann, President and CEO; Beverly Cardinal, Resident Senate President; Susan Frazier, THE GREEN HOUSE® Project; Mayor Lamar Fisher, City of Pompano Beach; John Birge, RDG Planning & Design; Mark Rayner, Director of Health Facilities; and Michael Hass, The Weitz Company.