COLONIE — Contributions to the King Thiel Community Center Capital Campaign continue to flow in as construction on the senior housing project continues towards completion.
On Tuesday, Jan. 3, SEFCU announced its committed to $50,000 over five years to help fund the development of Colonie Senior Service Centers’ (CSSC) 96-unit complex in Latham.
“The partnership between CSSC and SEFCU has grown over many years, and it is clear that SEFCU is dedicated to serving the seniors in our community,” Ed Neary, executive director of CSSC said in a statement. “With their level of support for this Capital Campaign, SEFCU is making a significant impact on many lives, including the 96 families who will be moving into the King Thiel Senior Community in May 2017 and other seniors in the community who will use the center for senior services and programs.”
After a 10-year planning process, CSSC announced the new project last May. The housing will be designed for independent seniors aged 55 and up. Located at 17 Elks Lane in Latham, the site will contain 96 units and is projected to be completed this spring. Initial development started in 2006, and by 2015 most of the approvals needed for the project were granted. Eric King and Kathlene Thiel donated $500,000 towards the project, which will be named after them. King is on the Board of Directors for CSSC, which will own and operate the new apartments.
In August, BBL Charitable Foundation donated $100,000 to the project. Later in the month, CAP COM Federal Credit Union donated $75,000 to the cause. In early September, Berkshire Bank followed suit with a $25,000 donation to the effort. Most recently, CDPHP donated $25,000 on Oct. 5.
The new residences will feature a variety of housing options for seniors, including one and two bedroom apartments with bathrooms and some with balconies. Sizes of the apartments differ, with the smallest one bedroom apartment at 684 square feet, and the largest at 1,045 square feet. The total site is 14 acres.
A clubhouse at the facility will a feature an art gallery, a community reading room, convenience store, courtyard, fitness center, library and media center, lounge, and a transportation hub.
More recently, CSSC received funding for its senior day care programs. In December, CVS pledged $25,000 to CSSC’s Bright Horizon’s program through its Health Community Grant program, which stems from the company’s effort to build healthier communities. The funding will enable the program to continue providing adult day care services to seniors with the intention of keeping them active and involved in the community. Bright Horizons currently serves more than 125 families in the Capital District, and the grant funds are projected to provide help for another five to 10 families.
Also in December, CSSC added two new, 12 passenger buses to its transportation fleet. The buses will be used to transport seniors over the age of 60 or with disabilities to doctor appointments, social events, and shopping trips. The most recent vehicle is a 10-passenger 2011.