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Parkview Place turns 10

UNITY - Long-time Unity residents fondly remember the old Unimac that housed seniors in the former assisted living facility.
parkview
Parkview Place, an assisted-living facility for seniors in Unity, celebrates its 10th anniversary this weekend. Photo by Sherri Solomko

UNITY - Long-time Unity residents fondly remember the old Unimac that housed seniors in the former assisted living facility. Once the Unimac was deemed to have completed its lifespan and subsequently torn down, the lot didn’t sit empty for long, as a dedicated committee devoted time and energy to fundraising for a new facility.

Parkview Place was born in 2006 and is now celebrating its 10th anniversary. The celebrations kick off Friday with a meet and greet and supper, followed by an entertainment portion with music by Will Ballantyne. This event is for past and present board members and current residents. An open house, tea and art show and sale will take place Saturday from 1 – 4 p.m., open to the community. A photo album of the journey of the Parkview project will also be on display.

Marcel Boucher, Parkview’s first and longest-running employee, said the changes he has seen over the past 10 years have all been good ones. He referred to the continued development of activity programming for residents and community, grounds keeping, loyal and hardworking board members and dedicated volunteers, the take-out meal program, air conditioning, 24-hour staffing, a Facebook page and a webpage, combined with a new logo and new uniforms.

Paula Sittler, manager of Parkview Place, says, “There are currently 27 residents living at Parkview Place. Over the past 10 years, more than 100 people have called Parkview Place home.”

She added that activities for residents include five exercise classes per week, shuffleboard, bean bag and ball toss, seated floor hockey, puzzling, live music, birthday and holiday parties, field trips such as a harvest trip, KP Gardens, fishing, riverboat tour in Saskatoon and Lakeview Hutterite colony, bingo, cards, Scrabble, bocce ball, HotDoggers dog show, Western Days parade, zucchini races, spring fashion show, fall trade show, Bible study and mass.

Sittler says fundraising supports activity program, yard projects, exercise equipment and supplies and notes the importance of community involvement.

 “Initially, community volunteers provided countless hours fundraising for the project. For their efforts we are forever grateful,” says Sittler

Community groups are invited to host meetings and gatherings of all sorts, free of charge.  The community is also invited to attend and participate in the facility’s special events.

Sittler also highlight other ways the community has gotten involved. “Whether they use our walking path year-round, use the grounds for wedding and family photo shoots, or make hundreds of donations including fruit and vegetables for our kitchen, baking, items for garage sales, puzzles for our collection, pianos, organs and other furniture,” she says.

The three local schools, various businesses and Revolution School of Dance get involved by coming to spend time with, or to perform for,residents.

There have been several additions to the complex in the last decade. These have included kitchen upgrades, creation of a guest/respite suite, a larger chapel, installation of a new jet tub, donation of a garbage shed, construction and donation of raised garden beds, paving and improvement to parking lots and upgrades to the grounds.

“Significant donations and grants allow for many of the beautification projects. For example, the Unity Elks donation this year allowed us to install two cement pads for picnic tables and two new perennial flowerbeds adjacent to the walking path,” Sittler explains.

Geraldine Barrett, on the Parkview board and an original committee member for the fundraising initiative says she is excited about the upcoming 10th anniversary.

“I can barely put into words what I feel when I go by Parkview and when I take someone in to tour them through. I am very proud of what our committee accomplished to give our residents.”

As with any building projects there were some challenges, says Barrett. “We found glitches as the contractor progressed along. Change orders cost money, however, we were working to make it the best possible place for our seniors and for the baby boomers who will one day enjoy it as well.”

As the structure celebrates its 10th anniversary, the fundraisers will continue to make it an affordable facility, along with financing improvements and maintenance that will need to be done down the road.

“The manager and board are continually making Parkview a better place to live in,” Barrett notes.

Barrett says the landscaping was planned “to create beauty for the mind and soul … (that) provide happiness for each person whether in the building or out in the gardens.”

Details such as the types of trees and plants was done so with those goals in mind.

“Walking paths, vegetable garden and flower gardens have made this even better. Keith Wilson has brought his talent and made the ‘Bouchard Gardens’ of Unity at Parkview Place.”

Barrett says the community is blessed with people who want to have the best for seniors.

The founding board consisted of Vern Schaab, who served as president, with Ken Neil as vice-president. They were joined by Elaine Sperle, secretary; Gladys Kelly, treasurer; and Jay Beasse, Ed Kripps, Don Robertson, Eileen Sword, Bill Fleming, Liz Leibel, Ron Koenig and Barrett.

“Some of us had no experience for such a venture, however our desire to build a new home for seniors overrode any challenges we may have been faced with,” says Barrett.

“It is so rewarding to celebrate this milestone for Parkview Place and I am very proud to have been a part of this project.”

Sittler describes Parkview Place as a first-class facility that provides an affordable and quality option for those looking to eliminate the responsibilities of home ownership and yet maintain their independence in a safe and caring environment.

“The board and management of Parkview Place would like to acknowledge the amazing home care staff that provide essential behind-the-scenes services to ensure our residents can stay here and part of our family for as long as possible! We couldn't do what we do without you,” she says.