Project Amenities

An important aspect of Independent Living operations is the amenities and activities package offered by the community. Despite the fact that activities are consistently given low priority by individuals as reason for choosing a particular community, the amenity and activity package plays an important role in the overall marketability of the project. More than meeting the particular desires of individuals, the amenities and activities set the tone for the community as a whole, and determine more than anything else what type of lifestyle can be expected by its residents. Typically, a potential resident can get a sense of the level of activity in a community within moments of entering. Services that are geared toward lower functioning residents will imply the community adheres more closely to a medical model healthcare facility than a truly independent community. If, for instance, most of the entertainment offered by the community is in-house (taking place in the dining room or arts and crafts room, for example), and is conducted by a particular person employed by the community (usually the Activity Director), then the lifestyle projected is no different than that in a nursing home. While this appearance may be acceptable for a community offering assisted living and/or nursing services, it is an instant turn-off for potential residents hoping to find that all too elusive “active senior” lifestyle. However, if activity programming can be developed to include the surrounding community and get residents out of the building on a regular basis, whether an individual chooses to participate or not, the impression is there that this is an “active” community. In this regard, Marina Isle will enjoy competitive advantages based on its location.

Unlike much of the competition, which is located on or near congested high traffic areas, Marina Isle is located adjacent to Downtown Sanford. The pedestrian friendly area is accessible by foot, meaning residents would not have to wait for the community van to take them there or be available at a certain time to be picked up. While this may not seem like a big consideration, it is a level of independence not available from most competitors. Sanford’s Downtown area offers restaurants, café’s, and shopping. It is also home to Sanford’s government offices, and a mix of residential condominiums and apartments. Monthly events include the Classic Car Show, Concerts, and Taste of Sanford, in which the streets are closed to car traffic and for a small fee attendees can sample food and drink from local restaurants. In addition, both the Sanford Civic Center and the Sanford Senior Center are located in Downtown. Examples of Senior Center activities located within walking distance of Marina Isle include the Over 50 Club, Bridge, Canasta, and Pinochle Clubs, Line Dancing, Square Dancing and Crafts Classes, Billiards, Jazzercise, Movies and Day Trips. While participation in outside activities such as those listed typically drops significantly when someone moves to a retirement facility, the potential for Marina Isle residents to simply walk to events will encourage and promote an independent feel throughout the community.

In addition to its beneficial proximity to Downtown Sanford, Marina Isle is also located even closer to Sanford’s Riverwalk. The Riverwalk is a nearly two-mile long park that stretches along the edge of Lake Monroe, the body of water that Marina Isle extends into. The Riverwalk is a popular trail along the lake that is used by walkers, joggers, and dog owners for a traffic-free exercise area. It is also a popular fishing spot for local anglers. The Riverwalk Park has benches, swings, water fountains, restrooms and restaurants available along the trail. While the exercise program at competing communities likely includes walks around the parking lot, Marina Isle Residents have access to a beautiful waterfront trail.

Closer still to the proposed Marina Isle site than Downtown or the Riverwalk, is the marina for which the isle is named. With large yachts lining both sides of the road leading to the marina, the one that stands out the most is the Rivership Romance. The Rivership Romance is a historic river-cruise ship that sails twice daily for lunch and dinner cruises along the St. John’s River. A popular senior attraction, the Rivership Romance is virtually in the back yard of the proposed Marina Isle site, and will no doubt offer the most unique and convenient getaway of any competitor. Whether residents choose to climb aboard and go out for dinner and dancing, or sit in their apartment and watch the ship amble by, it will be an experience not available at any other retirement community in the area.

One more aspect of the Marina Isle development that will enable independence among its residents is the fact that the ground-floor of the towers will be devoted to commercial leases geared toward satisfying the needs of the 55+ crowd. Services available to residents without even needing to leave the premises will include primary health care, therapy, homecare, banking, newspaper stand and coffee shop, hair salon, convenience store, and more. While the convenience this provides serves as a direct benefit for all the residents, it also projects the image that there is more than just a retirement community being offered. It truly is an environment where seniors are empowered to live an active independent lifestyle.

In addition to being located within walking distance of numerous senior-friendly areas, the Marian Isle project is also conveniently located within Central Florida as a whole. Orlando Sanford International Airport, a small but growing airport is less than fifteen minutes away. Orlando International, the largest airport in the area, is easily accessible via the 417 toll road (as are all the famous attractions). At less than 45 minutes south, access to or from anywhere in the world is available, making it very visitor friendly. If travel by car is a more likely option, Interstate 4, the main artery through Central Florida that runs from Daytona to Tampa, is accessible less than 5 miles away. And Highway 17-92, which passes through the suburbs on its way to Orlando, is less than a mile from the site.

While Marina Isle’s location and proximity to Downtown Sanford, the Riverwalk, the Rivership Romance and senior services may not directly or individually entice a prospective resident to move to Marina Isle, these features definitely give Marina Isle a competitive advantage. If, on the other hand, a particular person is more interested in what is offered directly through Marina Isle, that in-house amenities package will also be superior to the competitors’. It will include:

• Regularly scheduled events & entertainment
• Continental Breakfast & Daily Choice of Lunch or Dinner
• Bistro Café & Terrace
• Elegant Dining Room
• Full-time Club Director
• 24-Hour Concierge Service & Valet
• Private Balcony
• Modern Business Center
• Aerobics & Fitness Center
• Health & Wellness Programs
• Heated Three-lane Lap Pool & Jacuzzi
• Library/Reading Room with Fireplace
• Five community fishing/party boats
• Theater-Style Media Center
• Scheduled Local Transportation
• Weekly Housekeeping & Linen Service
• Emergency Call & Daily Check-in System
• Woodworking shop
• Club rooms
• Pool tables

While residents of existing retirement communities are in many ways entirely reliant upon their Activity Director and the limited resources available to them for their entertainment and social needs, Marina Isle stands apart in its offerings. Instead of a typical nursing home-style activity program based on typical amenities, the activity package at Marina Isle will include superior amenities along with all the surrounding community has to offer. This intangible aspect creates a favorable character about the project that cannot be otherwise created. The beneficial result of this independent feel within the community is increased marketability and resident satisfaction, along with shorter initial fill times and higher long-term census rates.