8-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, March 16, 2004 4S 7lwer 878-2881 Hard work pays off as first residents move into finishied Martindalle Gardens By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion Home, sweet home. As residents begmn the adventure of moving into the newly- opened Martindale Gardens seniors' facil- ity on Martin Street, one man's adventure is nearing an end. Life as Kart Reichert has known it for the past eight years, toit- ing as chair of Mitton Mittennium, Comimunity Residences (MMCR), is ahout to change. The dream that toomned before him for so tong has taken shape, and the bulk of Martindate Gardens, a non-profit retiremnent/assisted tiving facitity, is finished. But it's not tike hiers ahout to take much credit for the project. In his eycs, he did what he was supposed to do -nothing more, nothing tess. "t wish it wasn't referred to as my project," he said. "I commit- ted to il. so t put everything into it." Various detays have plagued the project from beginning to end, preventing it front opening tast September as expected. "Ftt be retîeved when it's finished," Mr. Reichert said. "tt's bee a long struggte. t've neyer worked as a devcloper t had no knowledge of buitdings -SO it's been a bit of a joumney." So far, seven residents have already begun to caît the new facil- ity home, and at teast 26 peopte have signed rentat agreements for the 76-suite facitity. Mr. Reichert said he continues to betieve that if it weren't for continuat divine intervention, the projeet woutd have fotded. 1t betieve God wanted us to do it," he said, adding atthough chattenges were ptentifut, he didn't have any steeptess nights because he knew eveeything woutd pan out in the end. MMCR - a votunteer, non-profit charity -decided eight years 'ago that Mitton's seniors needed a place they could spend their golden years without having to teave the community. The thinking was, it's atready bard enough for seniors to ceave their homes. Why shoutd they also have toi leave their betoved town to get a spot in a retirement facility? Overtooking the picturesque Mill Pond, Martindate Gardens is as etegant inside as it is outside. Many rooms have bay windows for a bright almosphere, and the wattls have heen painted a pale green colour. Potted miniature roses sit on tables in the dining room, and tuxurious window coverings hint at the care that has been taken with each room's décor. Suites range fromn the 327-square-foot studios to 731 - square- foot two-bedroomr suites. Suites come equipped with kitchenettes fecaturing smnatt refrigerators and room for residents' microwaves. The first and third floors are for independent seniors, white the second is for those requiring assisted living. The toseer levet features a gym, salon, hobby room, exercise room and chapet. There's also a doctor's office. A sense of community is important, Mr. Reichert said. "People are connecting with people," he said. 'Not living atone is what it's att about.' Martene Williams, generat manager of Martindate Gardiens, said residents are able to tive in a more "companionable" environment without comptetety changing their tifestytes. Hiring was done carefutty and selectively, Ms Witliams said. "The staff become part of the family of residents, soi it's impor- tant that we hire happy people." MMCR is now facing something unforeseen. Many Miltonians are bringing their etderly parents fromn other communities toi Martindate Gardens - particutarly since the rates are antractive. Smnce Martindate Gardens was always intended pnimarily for seniors atready living in town, Mr. keichert said it's important that Mitton seniors considering making the move do it now - belote space is taken up. Mr. Reichert said the project's dedicated workers deserve recog- nition. Martindale Gardoens offers a pictur- esque view (above) of MiII Pond tramn its third floor lounge, as weI as an elegent dining roomn (at: lot) and stair- way (below). Photos by GRAHAM PAINE ThMe trades and suppliers stayed despite somne probtems, he said "As we encountered difficulties, we met other trades who came and picked up the slack." 'The 27-person staff bas atready shown its commitment and ded- ication, Mr. Reichert said. "The carsng nature of the staff is great." To book a personat tour of the facility, cati (905) 693-8592. Stephanie Thtessen can be reached at sthiessen@mitoncanad- anchampion.coin W7COGECQ &oeobe Prog-ramming-. Schedule - Tuesday, March 16 - Monday, March 22, 2004 flmw Local Television Channel 14 www.cogeco.ca Spý6m Pugdn p.6m PugdI, 5p p.~ Pugg~d ffl Soin' 6P"' Pl.,td ln' 7 30p.7 Lte Week Edd.7 p Mý SP"'Sp PIluped In' 5p7 Sp"' PlSgged In, & 7,30. Ead yWeak Edt,. E,7ly Wek Ed,l, & 7:3p.~ E,77y WeekEdits & 7 3p, Laie Week Editt77 7 30r Late Week E3.7, & 7 3Opn LaieWeek Eddon NORTHI lIATON STUDIO S 30ps Seniors.ss Sborae 53Ot77 P57p.SMk,h Balon57 S3p7 0575 Heallh So-i 30prn Ba I7wped S 30prn Wlh Goo7 Teste 30pm Optis TV7 Bingot Lv StOpm Be lhffl,.d S6p M577,y Senior 77,,as 6P57pslcep aldS&H57 Laurier Plaza s owp, Hto H'l o- 7 5p Swap al:7Live 7 OP)ps Thssue Is, 8 00pr S477Py Wa.k , 0OE" Be. nsPe 500 Laurier Avenue Hýe Ms,75755 AwaOps 77780p75p,7ZsS, Milton, ON L9T 4R3 905-878-9306 2004 Georgetown Hockey Heritage Awards - Wednosday 8:00 pm