Demolition Begins at Fire-Damaged Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield

CLEARFIELD, Pa. - Oct. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- Demolition recently began at the site of Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield, a senior living facility destroyed by fire on June 25.

     The first phase of the demolition, which consisted of  removing part of the building to confirm the integrity of the slab base, began on Tuesday, October 1 and work will continue. Once those initial test results are completed, the demolition will proceed, clearing the way for construction of a new Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield.

     “When considering rebuilding, we are taking into account the needs of our residents prior to the fire as well as the current and future resident needs,” said Rick Irwin, President of IntegraCare, which owns Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield. “We anticipate the design to include many modern amenities, while still possessing a warm and homelike feel.”

     Lami Grubb Architects will prepare architectural design for the new structure. The Pittsburgh firm worked with Wexford-based IntegraCare on a number of state-of-the-art senior living projects.

     Irwin anticipates the new building will be similar in size to the original. The new design will include a front porch area so that residents may relax outdoors.

     “As we are working on the design, we will continually be reaching out to local officials to ensure that we comply with all local ordinances and zoning requirements,” Irwin said.

     IntegraCare hopes to have an information office open by late October or early November so that family members and previous residents may see architectural designs, room layouts and other features of the project.

     Sixty-one residents were relocated after the fire. Some of those moved into IntegraCare Senior Living communities such as Colonial Courtyard at Tyrone and Colonial Courtyard at Bedford.

     Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield staff are maintaining contact with the former residents, often visiting them in their new communities.

     “Our residents are like part of our family,” said Candy Shomo, Executive Director of Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield. “Many of our staff members remained in contact with the residents, with some of those even driving an hour or more to visit them. We are excited to share the news that reconstruction is underway.”

     Shomo said former residents have expressed an interest in returning to the rebuilt Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield.

For photo and interview requests, contact Sandy English, Colonial Courtyard at Clearfield Director of Sales and Marketing, at 762.0682 or senglish@integracare.com, or Beth Logue, IntegraCare Marketing Assistant, at 724.940.5544, ext. 113 or blogue@integracare.com.