One Vision, formerly Opportunity Village, serves individuals with disabilities and their families in North Iowa. For decades, OV hosted much of their clientele in Clear Lake on a large, diverse campus which includes living, working, and recreational opportunities. A few years back, government mandates started to dictate that these individuals be decentralized and integrated among community neighborhoods, leaving OV with a dilemma.How to continue to focus on providing exceptional care and opportunities for specialized needs, while repurposing their soon to be empty buildings and beautiful 80 acre site?
Bergland + Cram started working with OV in 2016 to determine next steps. Market research affirmed a demonstrated need for a variety of senior housing in North Iowa, which prompted the OV board to consider transitioning their campus toward a senior living community.
Cerro Gordo County and all of North Iowa are faced with an increased aging population as our baby boomers begin to reach senior citizen age. Seniors make up 20% of Iowa’s population, 4% more than the national average. OV recognized that they were uniquely positioned to provide something to this aging population – something that has always been at the core of their business: providing amenities and opportunities to those with specific needs.
If a senior living campus were to start from scratch, in addition to living units, it would require certain amenities. OV already had several desirable features in place, including a gym, an indoor pool, rooms for work and recreation, as well as a kitchen and open cafeteria multi-purpose space. What needed to be added to the mix was a variety of residential options and voila, a senior living campus could be created by repurposing much of what already existed.
The campus will provide two types of living as a start. OV’s original group cottages are being converted into contemporary condos for seniors, ranging from 1,500 – 2,500 SF in size. The bones of these facilities remained mostly intact, with interior and exterior renovations making them an attractive, contemporary, and affordable option for seniors. Best of all, they are situated in a serene and secluded area with an abundance of mature trees and walking paths. The addition of individual entrances and attached garages will transform 9 original condos into 27 units called The Terraces at Glen Oaks.
Along with these private owner condominiums, construction on a new 48 unit apartment building began in early 2018. The Timbercrest Apartments will be physically linked to the existing amenities on campus, and will offer various sized units with one and two-bedroom options. These apartments will open in the Summer of 2019, kicking off a new chapter in the life of the OV campus. For more information visit link to OV site
