Groundbreaking Celebration for Rockwood at Whitworth
November 18, 2019
by lisav
ROCKWOOD AT WHITWORTH BREAKS GROUND ON $69 MILLION COMMUNITY-WIDE REDEVELOPMENT
The Two-Phase Project Will Completely Transform the North Spokane Senior Living Community with New Apartments, Amenities and Services
SPOKANE, Wa. – With dignitaries, community partners, residents and team members in attendance, Rockwood at Whitworth broke ground on Phase 1 of a $69 million community redevelopment this week. This first phase, which will feature 48 assisted living apartments, 24 memory support suites and common spaces, will take approximately 14 months to complete before construction begins on
Phase 2.
“This was a pretty emotional moment for those of us who have watched this project grow from concept to shovels turning soil,” said Rick Milsow, Rockwood at Whitworth’s Executive Director. “This investment is going to completely reinvigorate our campus and ensure we continue to provide an engaging, vibrant lifestyle that best serves residents now and for decades to come.”
Phase 2, which is anticipated to take an additional 20 months to complete, will feature 117 new independent living apartments and an array of new amenities and services, including:
• Multiple dining venues
• Coffee shop/smoothie bar
• Multipurpose event space
• Fitness center
• Bar and lounge
• Theater
• Salon/spa
• Outdoor courtyards
• Underground and covered parking for residents
“Rockwood Retirement Communities has been serving generations of families for nearly 60 years, and this project is a tremendous opportunity to elevate the lifestyle we offer local seniors in North Spokane,” said Alan Curryer, Rockwood Retirement Communities’ president and CEO. “We thank all our partners who helped us get to this stage for their ongoing patience and support as we reshape our community. The immediate and long-term benefits of this investment, both through job creation and resident satisfaction, simply can’t be overstated.”
Construction comes on the heels of a partnership formalized earlier this year between Rockwood Retirement Communities and neighboring Whitworth University. The agreement looks to promote intergenerational and learning opportunities for residents by giving them access to discounted courses, privileges to the library, and athletic and performing arts events at the university, among other opportunities. In exchange, Whitworth students will have employment, internship and intergenerational opportunities with residents.
“This renewed partnership between Rockwood and Whitworth will strengthen a decades-long relationship as it provides exciting new opportunities for intergenerational learning, community service, academic programming, and alumni engagement. Whitworth is honored to be associated with this project,” said Beck A. Taylor, Whitworth University’s President.
Spokane-based NAC Architecture and Walker Construction Inc. are responsible for the project’s design and construction, respectively.
NOTE FOR MEDIA: Additional photos of the groundbreaking are available upon request. For more information on the redevelopment, or to speak with Rick Milsow or Alan Curryer, contact:
Eowyn Sallis, Director of Marketing, Rockwood Retirement Communities, eowyn@rockwoodretirement.org, 509-536-6701.
About Rockwood Retirement Communities
For nearly 60 years, Rockwood Retirement Communities has strived to enrich the lives of Spokane seniors. Guided by respect, integrity and Christian values, Rockwood Retirement remains one of the Inland Northwest’s only mission-driven, locally owned, nonprofit senior living providers. Its two communities, Rockwood at Whitworth and Rockwood South Hill, provide residents with a complete spectrum of living options along with a variety of programs, services and amenities.