LENEXA, KS (March 30, 2012) – Covenant Retirement Communities (CRC) has broken ground on Covenant Place of Lenexa, a pilot project that will be entirely comprised of rental apartments. Opening is set for some time in Spring 2013.

“In January the CRC board adopted a vision statement that, among other things, identifies the desire to serve a broader socio-economic segment of the denomination,” said Rick Fisk, CRC president and chief executive officer. “We anticipate Covenant Place of Lenexa will be the first of a portfolio of facilities that will be smaller in size, thereby permitting them to be constructed in smaller communities. In addition, the facilities will be market rate rental, which for many potential residents removes the limiting factor of the traditional entry fee.”

Fisk said Lenexa is an ideal place for the new project because the Kansas City suburb has several Covenant churches and is the home base for Scenic Development, which is building the facility.

The project is defined as a continuing care retirement community, meaning 44 of the units will be residential living, 34 assisted living, and 28 skilled-nursing units that will have a total of 34 beds. Living choices include expansive one and two-bedroom apartments with one to two large bathrooms and spacious closets. Most residences include a fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, and walk-in closets. One of the larger floor plans features an outside deck area.

Fine restaurant-style dining will be made available to all residents, who will also enjoy other community amenities including a bistro and coffee bar, fitness center, outdoor patios and walking paths, crafts and hobby room, a multi-use room that accommodates a chapel and theater, a library, banking center, and underground parking.

Fisk said there were several major differences between the pilot project and the current model. “The traditional entry fee-based continuing care retirement community depends on a resident contract that guarantees the resident access to the various levels of care and often includes a segment of pre-paid health care and certain discounts for extended skilled nursing care. The rental model provides for three levels of care, but does not provide a contract nor guarantee services.”

The new project will open the possibility for more Covenanters to live in a CRC facility, Fisk said. “In addition to moving into a residential unit, prospective residents may also move directly into the assisted living units or may access the skilled nursing unit for short-term rehabilitation or long-term care.”

“Covenant Place of Lenexa offers seniors the opportunity to enjoy a dynamic lifestyle packed with leisure and social activities,” said Joel Erickson of Scenic Development and a member of Community Covenant Church.

Interest already has been high. “Twenty-five percent of the apartments were reserved before we broke ground,” said Linda Townsend, independent living director. “Covenant Retirement Communities has such a wonderful reputation of quality care, and people are quickly reserving their place before the waitlist starts.”

Persons interested in becoming residents can fill out a simple application and make a $500 deposit to secure their unit. For more information, call 913-307-2000 or visit the new retirement community website. Prospective residents are invited to set up a personal visit to the site at 8505 Pflumm Road, Lenexa.