Ron Posno stands by the gazebo in the Town Square at the Village of Glendale Crossing looking over the hundreds of names listed upon the “Founder’s Circle” placard unveiled on this, the official grand opening celebration day.
Ron and his wife Sandy were among the first to arrive in the fall of 2023 and their names will be a permanent fixture as part of the circle. As the final preparations are made for the afternoon celebration, Ron speaks about the past 11 months as part of the Village community and he couldn’t be happier with the choice they made.
Through his advocacy work in the development and evolution of Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying laws and processes, Ron had seen plenty of seniors living arrangements and he knew the type of community he wanted to be part of. Glendale Crossing was it, and he was also swayed by the Schlegel Family’s dedication to research and innovation, some of which paralleled research concepts he was also interested in.
“Everything I’ve learned in the past 11 months being here in the Village leads me to continue to support it all the way,” Ron says. “The staff here is wonderful; I tell people here and people thinking of coming here that the fundamental aspect of this place is to understand that we all live together, we all support each other. When you wake up on the morning, get up and go for a walk and talk and socialize.”
He points across the square to the café, which he says is jammed every morning by 10 a.m. with neighbours catching up, visiting and getting to know more about one another.
Schlegel Villages founder Ron Schlegel later has the opportunity to address the gathered residents, teams, neighbours and friends, and he speaks of the vision he had in mind when he began developing the Village concept, and it was always about fostering connections between people. The full café as Mr. Posno describes, is that vision in action.
“This is a place where people come to live and to thrive,” says Mr. Schlegel. “We didn’t want to just build hotels; we wanted to build community – a true Village, and that’s what we have here.”
In his remarks, London Mayor Josh Morgan underscores the dedication of the Schlegel Family in the city, where in 1953, Ron Schlegel’s father Wilfred purchased the Egerton Private Hospital, which operated as a 30-bed nursing home.
“The Schlegel family’s deep-rooted legacy in our city continues to flourish through this expansion. Glendale Crossing not only offers a welcoming home for aging Londoners but is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Schlegel family to enriching the lives of others,” Morgan says.
And lives are truly enriched here, as resident Jack Eizenga says in his remarks just prior to the official ribbon cutting. The following is a transcript of his remarks:
It is truly an honour to stand before you at the grand opening of this beautiful new retirement home, the Village of Glendale Crossing.
What really helped me to fall in love with the Village of Glendale Crossing was the staff. They are always cultivating love, either by a small embrace, by listening or just a simple touch. They are also prepared to offer understanding and compassion.
As someone who has had the privilege of living a long life, I can say this is not just a building, but a new chapter filled with hope and promise.
From the moment I walked through the doors, I felt the warmth and the care that has gone into creating this outstanding design. The surroundings are beautiful, but what truly makes Glendale Crossing remarkable are the people. Each and everyone of you have come together to make this dream a reality. The care and attention to detail that you have put into every aspect is truly extra special. It is clear you have thought of everything, from the comfort of those who need a little extra assistance to the independence of those who are living on their own.
I thank God for the Village of Glendale Crossing; it is more than just a place to live. It is a community where we feel valued and supported. Your dedication to our well-being has fostered a positive and uplifting environment, where we can thrive.
Thank you for providing us with a home where we can step into the next season of our lives, with dignity, comfort and joy.
