Bellevue Park Senior Living is now accepting deposits for a mid- to late-August move-in for seniors in Aldergrove. 

Construction on the four-storey structure with accommodation for 195 residents plus their spouses 鈥� a project of the Burnaby-based Willingdon Care Centre Ltd. 鈥� wrapped up this spring.

The final result may just challenge the way senior housing is designed in the future, said Willingdon manager Lance Bennewith. 

Bellevue is being built with an on-site salon, foot and nail care, hydrotherapy tub room, accessible suites for seniors of all abilities and sizes, medical services on site for residents, including a dietitian. 

Each suite for independent living includes a washer and dryer, two mounted 55-inch televisions, a fridge and sink, a patio, and living room space. 

There is also a communal stackable washer and dryer set on each floor on the independent living wings of the building.

The complex will feature 75 independent living suites 鈥� 10 of which are two-bedroom units 鈥� and will also feature eight internal neighbourhoods of 15 residences each (or a total of 120 suites) for people needing full care. 

鈥淔ull-care,鈥� Bennewith explained, is a term being used to change the narrative of 鈥渓ong-term care,鈥� but said it has the same meaning. 

Every detail of the building has been thoroughly thought out by Bennewith, who began the planning stages about eight years ago. In fact, he may have just about thought of everything.

"It's about doing what's best for the community," Bennewith told The Star.

"When we talk about seniors care, it's independent living to the full-care, of being able to put that on one site 鈥� it's aging in place. My spouse and I can live in on [separate sides] of the building if one of us needs full-care, they can still live together." 

Family members will be welcome to enjoy the spa amenities with their loved ones living at Bellevue, so mom and daughter can still have a spa day, or son and father can enjoy a drink at Arnie鈥檚 Bistro on the first floor. 

"They don't have to go anywhere, and they can still be treated with great dignity and being special 鈥� feeling human. Your life is still meaningful," Bennewith commented. 

"You make the best of what you have, and that's why you want to age in place, you don't want to be moving around," he added, noting that seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's in particular struggle the most with a move.

The new facilities also feature underground parking for staff and residents, plus spaces for family members and other visitors. 

A small putting green will be added at the back of the building, along with some raised planter beds for gardening and a room to store garden tools. 

Additionally, there is an outdoor terrace, communal dining room, and private dining room that can be booked by families, a lounge, Wi-Fi, centralized air conditioning throughout the building, a space for movie nights, and much more. 

"This environment that we're creating for the people who are going to live here... it's their home. So, let's make it special just like their home is now," Bennewith said.

Bennewith also anticipates clubs to form within the residence, as people move and settle into their new homes.

Those looking for more information can visit .