Seniors celebrate T.O. groundbreaking

belmond@theacorn.com


CEREMONY-Breaking ground for the University Village are three of the first seniors to reserve homes: Evelyn Ballsun, center, and Mr. and Mrs. John Shearer. They are flanked by Warren Spieker, left, University Village vice president and owner/operator, and CEO Rick Aschenbrenner, right.

CEREMONY-Breaking ground for the University Village are three of the first seniors to reserve homes: Evelyn Ballsun, center, and Mr. and Mrs. John Shearer. They are flanked by Warren Spieker, left, University Village vice president and owner/operator, and CEO Rick Aschenbrenner, right.

Seniors celebrate T.O. groundbreaking



By Sylvie Belmond


belmond@theacorn.com

Many of today’s seniors are proactive: they plan ahead to ensure that they’ll have living arrangements that will accommodate their future needs.


Last week seniors from Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, and even Palm Desert attended the groundbreaking ceremony for their homes next to California Lutheran University, in the Thousand Oaks hills.


About 160 people have already signed up to live at University Village, a continuing life retirement community slated to be completed in late 2006.


The state-of-the-art community for people aged 62 and older is at the northwest corner of Campus Drive and Olsen Road. It will be home to about 550 people in 367 independent residences. The Spanish colonial theme will be reflected in a village center, with fully equipped two- or three-bedroom villas and apartment homes overlooking the central courtyard.


University Village will cater to the individual needs of its seniors, with services, activities and amenities that include dining options, a healthcare center and skilled nursing. Social events will also be a key component.


George Savage, who will turn 80 next year, and his wife plan to move into the new community. A retired divisional president for a retail chain store, Savage has been living in his 5,000-square-foot custom home in North Ranch since the early ’90s. But the large home is becoming too big for the couple, who realize they may need extra support in the coming years.


"It’s all downhill from here," said Savage with good humor. Although he’s already selected a three-bedroom villa at University Village, he said will take some getting used to.


"It was a hard decision," said Savage, who wanted to be sure that his wife is cared for. The decision was made a bit easier because the couple has family living nearby.


Like most of the people who will move to University Village, the Savages planned for their retirement many years ago. They will use the equity from their North Ranch home to help pay for the cost of living in the retirement community.


"It’s about making life manageable," said Savage.


It’s not cheap, but it’s a bargain, said Richard Ashenbrenner, CEO for University Village, Thousand Oaks. This community will offer a sense of security and peace of mind, and seniors live longer when they reside in such communities, he said.


It’s a package of services, activities and amenities with access to assisted living all for one price, according to Ashenbrenner.


Another benefit of University Village: the young and the not so young will have the opportunity to interact with one another. The village’s proximity to Cal Lutheran will enable seniors to benefit from programs at the university and students to work at the retirement community.




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