В Сирси открыли стройку нового корпуса для пожилых людей с первым жильцом

Harding University just held its groundbreaking last week for a new 82-unit expansion at Harding Place Retirement Living and it already has its first reservation. The groundbreaking was held last Thursday near the intersection of Benton Street and West Beebe-Capps Expressway to celebrate the 180,000-square foot expansion that will bring the total capacity of Harding Place to 198 apartment homes. The expansion will be called The Terraces at Harding Place, and former Harding President and Chancellor Dr. David Burks has signed up to be its inaugural resident. “This, to me, is a very exciting time,” Burks said. “Over two years ago, I was asked to help some with the planning for a possible expansion of Harding Place. I was delighted to be a part of dreaming how this might be done. “I remember a long time ago, when I was president, when Harding Place was first built. Jimmy Carr was assistant to the president and he came to see me once a week forever insisting that we build Harding Place, and I’m glad that he did because Harding Place is truly a special place. I dearly love the people who live here, the people who work here that make it so special.” Burks explained that the concept of Harding Place is offering a place where people “can age in place,” which means they can live independently with additional care provided if they need it. “I applaud the leadership of [Harding Place Executive Director] Randy Reynolds and his wife, Sandy,” Burks said. “They are deeply invested in the lives of people who make Harding Place their home. They love the people who live here and serve them in a marvelous way. Even before my wife passed away a couple of years ago, they adopted me as part of the Harding Place family and they continue to do so ever since her passing, and I am grateful for all the help they have provided.” Of special note, Burks told the crowd to laughter, “thanks for coming to my groundbreaking since I have a place reserved in the new facility. I appreciate you coming.” Harding President Dr. Mike Williams, who announced that Burks would be the first resident of the expansion, called the groundbreaking a “wonderful day.” “Life is not just contained in the middle of life productivity but it starts at conception and ends with final breath,” Williams said. “I was reading recently that about 19 percent of our population here in Arkansas are considered senior adults and over the really next three or four years, that number is going to swell to 22 percent. That’s because the baby boomers, of which I’m at the end of getting to join in about 18 months, it’s a huge population. “And Searcy is just like every other community in America: There’s a shortfall in housing for senior adults, and so what a wonderful way for Harding to partner with our community and create a new opportunity for people to live, for us to live out our Christian values. It really does honor those who deserve honor.” Burks said with the expansion comes a new dining hall for everyone and a newly expanded activities center for all to enjoy. Hart Construction was the low bidder on the project and Design Shop from Memphis was the architectural team who designed the addition. In July, the Searcy Public Educational and Residential Housing Facilities Board passed a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $39,975,000 in bonds for the expansion and to refund 2016 bonds, which refinanced the original Harding Place construction. In June, Harding received permission to use more than $45 million from capital improvement bonds for interior renovations on some of its buildings and for the expansion from the Searcy City Council. The council approved resolutions for the issuance of up to $6.9 million in bonds and the refunding and issuance of up to $39,975 in bonds, but the city does not assume liability or any financial obligation for them. “Our Lord is blessing this ministry and we are fortunate to be a part of His plan,” Randy Reynolds recently said. “We are excited for the opportunity to serve more seniors in the Searcy community and beyond.”