- 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, B次元官网网址淲hat else is there to do?B次元官网网址�

He adds: B次元官网网址淚 guess if you enjoy what you do, why would you stop?B次元官网网址�

GordonB次元官网网址檚 been building apartments for almost 60 years, developing VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 first condominium, Cedar Village, in the late B次元官网网址�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.

B次元官网网址淸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 weB次元官网网址檙e designing is even further expanded, so the outside community can come in and enjoy the facilities,B次元官网网址� 56-year-old Chris explains. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 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.B次元官网网址�

Building connection and community is at the centre of what the Denfords doB次元官网网址攆rom the unique design of each building, which is created to reflect the distinct community itB次元官网网址檚 in, to a strong focus on amenities and a B次元官网网址渨eB次元官网网址檙e a big familyB次元官网网址� management style, which includes regularly having meals with residents (outside of the COVID-19 pandemic).

B次元官网网址淭he problem with early seniorsB次元官网网址� places that were built up to the 1980s is they didnB次元官网网址檛 take into consideration interaction between residents, and the idea of providing recreation and activities was unheard of,B次元官网网址� says Gordon, who saw first-hand the design failings when his mother was moved into a publicly-funded facility. B次元官网网址淧eople were sitting in wheelchairs in the reception area, including my mother, and that was their idea of getting them out of their rooms,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 had her moved out of there 24 hours later.B次元官网网址�

Boulevard Magazine, a Black Press Media publication
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