On March 27th, the first residents moved to Center Point, the fifth floor Gardens apartments in the final stage of the Wesley Des Moines Phase III project.
As Wesley Des Moines resident since 2018, Nancy Robertson was the first to move in. “It was fun,” she says. “I slept there, and the ghoulies didn’t get me.” With two or more move-ins a day, Nancy won’t be alone for long.
Over the next month, up to 60 families will move into apartments in The Commons and Center Point. “It’s really nice and beautiful,” Nancy says. “I’m so glad I made the move.”
New apartments and so much more in Phase III
Once state licensing is completed, another 26 apartments in the Albert W. Carr Memory Care Center will be open along with 70 suites in the new rehabilitation and care center. Licensing is expected in the next 30-90 days.
Preparing to open a building with 94 apartments and 70 care center suites takes an interdisciplinary team of construction workers; service technicians; housekeepers; interior design and installation specialists; move managers; culinary staff; resident engagement; sales and marketing; environmental services; IT support; Community Foundation representatives; and care providers from Wesley’s home care, assisted living, and skilled nursing programs.
The campus team has been meeting regularly for over a year to review tasks associated with transitioning to the new building. From managing resident moves to setting up keys and mailboxes to connecting the Wi-Fi and hanging TVs, there is a long list of “to-do’s” to open the building. And everyone has a role to play.
For each new resident moving in, there is a housekeeper cleaning the apartment, a team preparing and signing the contract, someone accompanying the apartment walk-through, setting up the directory, and assigning keys. Many of these moves also involve setting up care services, like our Catered Living program. This adds another level of complexity to the transitions.
“Everyone has done a great job pulling everything together,” said Wesley Des Moines Executive Director Ken Klotz. “There have been some bumps, and this team handles them very well.”
Residents and their families had the opportunity to tour the new buildings on Wednesday, April 3rd. A grand opening is planned for later in the year.
Until then, enjoy photos from our dedication of the Skywalk which now connects The Terrace to The Gardens.