The atmosphere was festive and excitement seemed to permeate the room as Pine Run officially opened its impressive new community center, affectionately called “The Hub.”
More than 350 of the Doylestown Township retirement community’s villagers attended the grand opening on Oct. 2, marked by comments from a variety of speakers who had each contributed to making the highly anticipated center a reality.
“Completing this building,” said Maria Santangelo, Pine Run’s executive director, “ makes us a destination in retirement living and will ensure we remain relevant and indispensable to the community.”
Constructed in two phases, the community center is a 37,000-square-foot, two-story facility that has a plethora of amenities, including a swimming pool, fitness room, entertainment “galleries,” indoor and outdoor dining venues and a casual bar, as well as a 175-seat auditorium.
The fitness center is staffed by credentialed professionals and fully accessible exercise stations in each corner meet the highest standards for health and exercise. The pool instructors’ classes already fill up quickly, administrators said.
Santangelo called the community center “the crown jewel of Pine Run.” Adding, “we are on the precipice of a new chapter in senior living.” Over the past decade, Pine Run has completed the $13 million community center, renovated cottages and the health center and improved infrastructure across the campus.
Jim Brexler, president and CEO of Doylestown Health, which owns and operates Pine Run as part of its continuum of care, said the new community center “represents the vitality of the community,” noting, “It’s an incredible facility.”
He said, investments of some $96 million over the past 10 years have been made to “ensure Pine Run Retirement Community meets the needs and desires of individuals for active and healthy retirement living.”
Joyce Hanson, president of the Village Improvement Association, which was formed 125 years ago by a group of area women to create a healthier community, said that organization could never have imagined a place such as Pine Run and its community center. The VIA founded and now governs Doylestown Health.
“It is the embodiment of that vision – it offers healthy options in food and activities, but most of all, it helps to build a better community,” she said.
Henry Heyman, who moved to Pine Run nearly two years ago, said, “I love living here. Each unit opens to the outdoors and there are so many intelligent, fascinating people here.” “And, he added, he’s delighted the new center offers a space for jigsaw puzzles, one of his favorite pastimes. “Here, we can all keep learning,” said Heyman.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by Howard Perloff of Carversville, Patrick Ludt of Doylestown, Catlin Mckechney of New York and Joe Nappi of Furlong, on piano.
Built in 1976, Pine Run Retirement Community is situated on 43 acres in Doylestown Township. The Ferry Road campus is home to more than 300 seniors who enjoy independent living in cottages and apartments.
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