SANTA BARBARA, CA (February 12, 2013) – Construction has begun on a $4 million amenity laden LifeCenter at Samarkand Retirement Community, one of several communities administered by Covenant Retirement Communities (CRC) on behalf of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

The 9,527-square-foot two-story mission-style building is slated to become the new hub of campus life for Samarkand residents, staff and visiting family members.

“The LifeCenter will bring a new level of services and amenities to senior living in
Santa Barbara,” said Paul Peterson, Samarkand executive director. “The third building we’ve added to our retirement community since 2000, the LifeCenter’s purposeful design demonstrates our commitment to being in the vanguard of senior living.”

The LifeCenter will house a café with indoor and two outdoor seating areas. The shaded fireplace terrace will overlook the Santa Ynez Mountains, with the patio facing an outdoor water feature. There will be an 1,183-square-foot aerobics/multipurpose room, wellness clinic and fitness center, computer lab, office space for the community’s 40 resident-led committees, a studio for the in-house television channel, a gallery detailing Samarkand’s history, and space for the clothing and accessories resale boutique.

Members of the CRC Board of Directors, CRC President Rick Fisk, and
Executive Vice President Terri Cunliffe joined Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider along with Samarkand residents, employees and friends in celebrating the groundbreaking for the new building.

“The LifeCenter is a great example of how to foster neighborly relationships, take
advantage of Santa Barbara’s climate and beautiful vistas, and use an environmentally friendly design that will promote the health and well-being of all who visit,” said Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider. “Kudos to the Samarkand team on their leadership in creating this new community center.”

The Samarkand tapped the expertise of resident experts and asked six residents to work with the project team to identify critical components of the building.

In keeping with Santa Barbara’s passion for environmental sustainability, the
LifeCenter will feature LEED certified design, construction, operation and maintenance solutions, including:

• Locally or regionally produced construction materials
• Wall, floor, and ceiling insulation R-values that meet or exceed code
• Double-glazed, energy efficient windows
• Energy efficient compact fluorescent light fixtures
• Low VOC interior paint
• Landscaping with native species to limit watering
• Protection of existing oak trees or, if necessary, removal and replacement at a five-to-one ratio

“Our environmental attention started with the planning,” said Peterson. “When we
removed a maintenance building to make way for the LifeCenter, we recycled almost 100 percent of the building material.”

Construction of the new building is expected to take 14 months. For more information, visit the Samarkand website.