Construction of memory care facility prompts celebration

LAKEWOOD RANCH — As the sun set behind the future Windsor Reflections Memory Care Residence building Nov. 30, a fir tree, topped with American flags, caught the attention of passersby and those who stood outside, waiting to celebrate the facility’s creation.

Although contractors broke ground on the project a few months ago, Windsor officials celebrated its construction with a special “Raise the Roof Celebration.”

The tree, carefully placed atop the building’s new roof, paid tribute to a European tradition of “topping out,” in which a tree is placed atop a building to celebrate an intermediate point of overall completion of the structure.

“It’s supposed to bring luck to your project,” said Lorrie Britton, regional director of operations for Windsor Senior Living and The Windsor of Lakewood Ranch.

Construction of Lakewood Ranch’s first memory care center, Reflections, is about one-third complete. Contractors are on schedule to finish the shell of the building by the end of March, with the center opening to its first residents in May 2012.

“This is such a wonderful addition,” said Manatee County Commissioner Donna Hayes, who spoke at the event. “The whole East County needs this facility.”

Cathy Layton, who owns the Windsor with her husband, Pete Russell, said Reflections will be specialized for patients with dementia and other memory-related conditions through the layout of the facility, security measures, activities for residents and training for staff members.

“It’s a resource now,” Layton said.

For more information about Reflections or The Windsor of Lakewood Ranch, visit www.legendseniorliving.com.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].