- Story by Tess van Straaten Photography by Don Denton

At the age of 93, successful Victoria entrepreneur and philanthropist Gordon Denford is showing no signs of slowing down.

Asked how long he plans to keep working, the founder of laughs and says, 香蕉视频直播淲hat else is there to do?香蕉视频直播�

He adds: 香蕉视频直播淚 guess if you enjoy what you do, why would you stop?香蕉视频直播�

Gordon香蕉视频直播檚 been building apartments for almost 60 years, developing Victoria香蕉视频直播檚 first condominium, Cedar Village, in the late 香蕉视频直播�60s. He opened the first Berwick residence, Berwick House, in Gordon Head, 31 years ago. Since then, Berwick Retirement Communities, which he runs with his son, Chris Denford, has grown to include resort-style residences where people can enjoy retirement in Nanaimo, Comox, Campbell River, Kamloops and Qualicum Beach. Construction is currently underway on the latest property in Parksville, which will have pickleball courts, lawn bowling, bocce and even a Zen meditation garden.

香蕉视频直播淸Parksville] is largely based on our Berwick Royal Oak Residence in Victoria, which has a large production theatre for residents as well as for people from the community. And the fitness centre we香蕉视频直播檙e designing is even further expanded, so the outside community can come in and enjoy the facilities,香蕉视频直播� 56-year-old Chris explains. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 all designed to not only provide the residents with an amazing, awesome experience, but also to give the people in the general community a chance to come in and interact with our residents.香蕉视频直播�

Building connection and community is at the centre of what the Denfords do香蕉视频直播攆rom the unique design of each building, which is created to reflect the distinct community it香蕉视频直播檚 in, to a strong focus on amenities and a 香蕉视频直播渨e香蕉视频直播檙e a big family香蕉视频直播� management style, which includes regularly having meals with residents (outside of the COVID-19 pandemic).

香蕉视频直播淭he problem with early seniors香蕉视频直播� places that were built up to the 1980s is they didn香蕉视频直播檛 take into consideration interaction between residents, and the idea of providing recreation and activities was unheard of,香蕉视频直播� says Gordon, who saw first-hand the design failings when his mother was moved into a publicly-funded facility. 香蕉视频直播淧eople were sitting in wheelchairs in the reception area, including my mother, and that was their idea of getting them out of their rooms,香蕉视频直播� he says. 香蕉视频直播淚 had her moved out of there 24 hours later.香蕉视频直播�

Boulevard Magazine, a Black Press Media publication
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