Nearly 75 people gathered on a crisp, cold morning to watch as a portion of the existing skilled nursing building at Christian Living Communities Clermont Park was demolished Monday to create room for the new Suites at Clermont Park, near Colorado Boulevard and Yale Avenue. The demolition marked the next phase of the redevelopment of the community, formerly known as University Hills. It was the first senior care community opened by CLC, a Denver-based not-for-profit that owns and operates three metro-Denver retirement communities as well as Adult Day and Home Care Services.
Popular certified nursing assistant Dedy, 31, climbed into the cab to take the ceremonial first swipe at the building, much to the delight of his 2-year-old daughter who exclaimed "Papa broke - papa hole." Dedy, who has been with CLC for eight years and works in the rehabilitation department at the community, won a drawing to see who would get to perform the honors.
The original, 1972 structure is being torn down to make way for a new, two-story, 64-suite skilled nursing neighborhood and the initial phase of a new Town Center, home to a community living room, library, game room, and the University Marketplace featuring a coffeehouse and casual dining. The new Suites at Clermont Park is anticipated to be completed by late 2010.
The construction project is part of an extensive redevelopment of the entire community that began mid 2008 and is being funded in part with $30 million in non-rated, fixed-interest bonds. Earlier this year, 32 newly renovated assisted living apartments, including memory support, were unveiled.
So as not to displace residents from their homes throughout the project, construction and demolition efforts have been phased. Once the redevelopment is complete, Clermont Park will be a continuing care retirement community, offering multiple levels of services and care under the same roof.
Lantz-Boggio Architects and Pinkard Construction are overseeing design and construction.