State College —Foxdale Village, a Quaker-directed continuing-care retirement facility, is celebrating its 20th year in business by growing for the future, according to executive director Bill James. Foxdale Village recently embarked on a nearly-$40-million expansion and renovation project that is currently the largest such project in the State College region, according to James. The project includes the addition of a new three-story apartment wing that will result in the creation of 57 new apartments of varying sizes. The largest of these will be a two-bedroom with a sunroom that will total 1,450 square feet, the smallest a one bedroom totaling 900 square feet.

James explained that great care was taken in the initial planning of Foxdale Village and the same vision was extended to the expansion project. The Foxdale board of directors has been careful to create “neighborhoods” within the facility. “We face the ongoing belief that we are a nursing home,” James stated. “But we have far more people living in a residential setting that in a nursing setting. Our operation focuses on the quality of life. There is a high level of energy and vitality at Foxdale. It’s a fantastic place. There is a real can-do attitude among the residents.” Driving the growth is a desire to be strategically prepared for the future growth expected in the region. “We felt we needed to position ourselves to meet the future demand for a place like Foxdale,” James said. “We have had an increased need for healthcare. We are at 100 percent occupancy.”

In addition to the new apartment building – which will be attached to the community center – the project includes the creation of a new wellness center and a new healthcare facility which will include two neighborhoods designed to serve people with a dementia diagnosis. “It is part of our vision to serve and program for these people. There’s a benefit to their quality of life.” Improvements to the existing community center, including expanded kitchen and dining areas, will also be completed. Benchmark Construction of Lancaster is managing construction on the project. “They have a tremendous reputation for building long-term care facilities,” James said. James believes the project will result in several hundred construction jobs and 50 new jobs added to the 210 employees already on Foxdale’s staff. Northwest Savings Bank and Fulton Bank have handled lead financing for the project. “I am pleased that we have such a good mix of local and regional subcontractors working on the project,” James stated.

A partial list of local and regional subcontractors includes: HRI, State College (site work); Reese and Sweetland Engineering, State College; Demolition and Construction of Alexandria; Triangle Showrooms of Bellefonte (windows); Lezzer Lumber, Clearfield; Overhead Door, Lewistown; CMT Labs, State College (site testing); K and B Custom Finishes, Osceola Mills (painting) and Joseph C. Hazel, Bellefonte (plumbing). The expansion and renovation project – including a new geothermal heating system – is expected to be completed by the fall of 2012.

“Our master plan calls for us to put an emphasis on wellness. Even the frailest person can benefit from wellness. We are also planning to expand our mission into the broader community. For example, we may work to help provide affordable housing in the region. We want to reach out and serve more people.” Foxdale just ended its best financial year ever with a surplus of approximately $900,000 with enough cash and unrestricted investments to operate for 365 days with no income.