Western Home Communities Breaks Ground On $42 Million Project In Cedar Falls

Western Home Communities broke ground on a $42 million expansion project in Cedar Falls on Wednesday (Aug. 26, 2015).

When construction is finished, a new wellness and community center, 75 apartments for independent living and 60 restorative suites for post-hospital recovery will all be part of the larger facility.

"We are excited to start work on this pivotal project,” said CEO Kris Hansen. “It’s going to be a centerpiece on our south campus and really a space where our mission to create fulfilling lifestyles is realized, with all that’s going to be offered."

Located west of Prairie Parkway on a 150-acre campus, the wellness and community center will be open to the public. When finished, it will include an event space with seating for 400, a lap pool and therapy pool, walking/jogging track, exercise classroom, salon spa, restaurant, pub, convenience store, outpatient therapy and outdoor seating areas.

The new building will be called The Jorgensen Plaza for Well-Being, in honor of Jim and Phyllis Jorgensen, residents of Western Home Communities who provided a $1 million lead gift and challenge to encourage other donors. The Jorgensens live in a villa at Western Home Communities and made their gift of land in memory of his parents, second-generation Americans who raised five children. All of them now live in or near Cedar Falls.

“My dad always called us a blessed family,” Jim Jorgensen reflected when announcing the gift. “I was the oldest in the family and the first to attend college, at Dad’s urging. All my siblings followed suit, and so did all of my parents’ 17 grandchildren. So as the Lord has blessed us, we need to do something for others. We hope this center and all it offers will be a real blessing to Western Home Communities.”

Added Phyllis Jorgensen: “The building plan looks amazing. It’ll be such a great thing. A lot of people here and from the public will be able to use it.”

Other donors responded to the Jorgensen challenge. Anonymous donors made a gift of $2.5 million to the effort, and residents Bob & Donna Grosse also made a significant gift. Donations now total about $4.25 million to an on-going campaign.

“The spirit of philanthropy has built this organization since 1911,” said Mary Taylor, director of development. “It was a gift of land and cash that made it possible for Western Home Communities to get its start in Cedar Falls. Time after time we’ve seen people rise to the occasion to further this work, and we’re seeing it happen again. We’re so thankful.”

Others excited to see construction begin include those who’ve reserved nearly 50 of the 75 apartments at Prairie Wind independent living community.

"We only expand when the demand exists for it, and the early reservations indicate it will fill quickly, ” Chief Operating Officer Jerry Harris said. “Prairie Wind will be unique with three floors instead of one, so it will offer balconies and nice views of south Cedar Falls. Plus being attached to The Jorgensen Plaza is a terrific amenity.”

The 60 restorative suites will provide hotel-like spaces for those who need a Medicare skilled nursing stay after surgery or illness. Each floor of the three-story building will function like a household with just 20 residents per floor, each in a private suite.

"Hospitals don’t provide this kind of Medicare stay anymore, and when you’re recovering you want the best atmosphere possible,” Hansen said. “We want to provide that in combination with the most advanced therapies available, to promote the best possible outcomes.”

Construction on the project is expected to take 18 to 24 months, with the entire complex scheduled to open in 2017.