Senior housing project continues to develop at Trinity Heights

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
Jan. 17, 2008

A Sioux City couple has found a home in a distinctive senior setting.

Larry and Sharon Walsh moved into their townhome that is part of the St. Anthony's Senior Housing at Trinity Heights in Sioux City in late November.

The Walshs were the first people to move in and a week later two other homes were occupied.

"We couldn't be happier," said Larry. "We love the house we came from, but there is a time in everyone's life that they need to think about downsizing. What a better place to do it than at Queen of Peace where you have prayerful, peaceful surroundings to take walks, do your meditating and think about your eternal future."

Larry said that one of the reasons the couple decided to move was that it is located at Queen of Peace where they already spend time participating in activities. Larry is a board member and this makes it easier for him to take part in planning programs.

The Walshs also like that the houses are constructed with LiteForm, which makes the homes energy efficient and storm resistant. The homes are also handicap accessible with all doorways having full three-foot doors and all entrances are level with no stairs.

"We are looking forward to this being filled very soon with people of like mind," said Larry. "We know it is going to become a vibrant, prayerful community living in these peaceful surroundings."

Construction began on the townhouses in 2006. The plan is to have people settled in all the homes by the fall of 2008.

"We originally got the basic idea that we wanted to get involved in housing for two reasons," said Beanie Cooper, executive director at Trinity Heights. "One was to supplement the income that we will need in the future. Equally important was that we wanted to create a group of people who may be interested in volunteering because we depend so largely on volunteers here - tending to the flowers, helping mow or working in the St. Joseph Center or the gift shop."

He mentioned that there are people going into the "senior category," who have been used to living in four- and five-bedroom houses.

"As you get to retirement age, what you want to do is downsize and get rid of most of the work connected with living," said Cooper. "One of the things that this project does offer is that it pretty well takes care of everything for the resident. They don't need to do much more than live."

Trinity Heights provides an atmosphere for people to walk in a "lovely" setting as well as a spiritual atmosphere for the residents, he pointed out.

The name of the project is St. Anthony's Senior Housing and the street where the houses are located is named St. Anthony's Place.

"I have always liked St. Francis and St. Anthony. They were buddies," said Cooper. "We thought St. Anthony would be a good person to help us out."

Currently nine homes are being built. In the spring, three more homes will be started for a total of 12 homes. Each of the homes has 1,400 sq. ft. of living space along with a two-car garage.

"Of the nine homes that we are building, we have nine taken, so we are in good shape," said Cooper. "So far there are four completed and four moved in."

Of the 12 homes, six will have basements and six will be on grade. The six with basements have been taken. The three homes that will be started in the spring are available.

There is a basic floor plan set out for each townhouse, but each home owner, with approval, is able to specify certain elements that would suit them better.

"As you go through them, they will seem different to you," said Cooper. "There is some flexibility."

St. Anthony's Senior Housing is located near 33rd Street, so anyone visiting Trinity Heights can see the progress of the project.

Those interested in the townhomes should contact the Queen of Peace, Inc. office and information will be provided.