North Carolina Mason
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/33212
May/June 2011 SENIOR MomeNts Expansion construction begins By Mark Kolada
Administrator WhiteStone
Spring is in the air, and nowhere is the season of change
more evident than at WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community. WhiteStone will be celebrating its 100 year anniversary in 2012–2013, but the future, not the past, is the focus of a series of recent improvements, upgrades, and expan- sion of the Greensboro community. Currently, WhiteStone has 260 residents living at its retire-
ment community in various levels of care including Independent Living, Residential Living, Nursing Home, and Special Care unit. However, like a lot of other historic Masonic retirement commu- nities across the country, one of the challenges facing WhiteStone over the past several years, was how to stay competitive by provid- ing modern amenities and services, as well as dealing with ag- ing buildings and infrastructure. Beginning in late 2007, White- Stone’s Board of Directors approved a multiphase renovation and expansion of its campus in order to help the community maintain its competitive edge, improve services and amenities for residents, as well as increase its financial stability in order to continue to provide high levels of charity care to its fraternal members. In 2010, WhiteStone began its exciting renovation by trans- forming a multipurpose room in its Wellness Center into a state
of the art fitness complex featuring air compressed weight and cardio machines for residents and staff to enjoy. Shortly after completing the fitness center, WhiteStone began a $2.5M reno- vation of its Linville Administration building (built in 1975) into a modern day clubhouse for residents. The new clubhouse which was finished in January 2011, features a brand new building fa- çade, game room, library, resident store, activity area, and lounge for its residents to enjoy, as well as new administrative offices for staff to work in. The next phase of the community’s expansion which began
in April of 2011, is the construction of a $30M, 46-unit one- and two-bedroom independent living apartment building on its campus which is currently 80% pre-sold. The project is financed through a recent successful sale of tax exempt bonds through the North Carolina Medical Care Commission. To make way for the new apartment building, the vacated Setzer building as well as the old Bass nursing home will be demolished. In addition to the new apartment complex, WhiteStone will also be adding a fellowship hall to be able to host Masonic events such as Wilkerson College and lodge/chapter meetings, coffee shop bistro, arts and crafts area, full service beauty salon and spa, as well as completely reno- vating its main dining room and adding an outdoor dining area. Life Care Services, based in Des Moines Iowa, who has managed the community since 2006, is also the developer of the renovation and expansion project. It is expected that the expansion will be completed during the first quarter of 2012, just in time for the
communities centennial anniversary celebration. If you would like more information or would like to schedule a
tour to check out all of the changes at WhiteStone, please call at (336) 547-2947 or visit us online at