Waterford retirement village renovation begins next week

Crews will start removing siding on The Waterford on South Hill next week, a task that will launch a $6 million renovation of the retirement community.

Executive Director Jeff Bair said the work will not add to The Waterford’s living units, which run the gamut from free-standing cottages to skilled nursing beds open to residents and nonresidents alike.

The Waterford has not undergone any significant remodeling since it was opened in 1991, he said.

Bair said the changes will modernize the look of the facility’s exterior and interior.

Outside, siding will be replaced, and a new front gate and port cochere constructed. Inside, the fitness center will be enlarged and a sports bar and coffee shop added. Also, new carpeting, lighting and paint will change the color schemes.

Bair said the project will be staged over one year to minimize disruption and assure access for the 300 residents and 220 employees.

Occupancy, at 80 percent, is below the normal level of about 90 percent, he said.

“People are waiting longer to make the transition,” Bair said. “It’s taking them longer to sell their homes.”

Lydig Construction is the general contractor, and LRS Architects is the designer.

The Waterford is owned by Touchmark, which operates several retirement communities in the Northwest, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Alberta.

Indoor skateboarding

Spokane resident Dale Rigg opens today what he believes is Spokane’s first indoor skateboard park. The opening is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

His business, Riggz, at 2943 N. Lee, is a few blocks from the Hillyard outdoor skateboard park.

A registered nurse at Sacred Heart by day, Rigg hopes he can help some friends who are unemployed. “Maybe I can hire them so they can make some money,” he said.

Hours will be 3 to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, with longer hours on the weekend.

“I’m still trying to figure out the right hours when kids will want to skateboard here,” he said.

Rigg said there are “Riggz” sites on Facebook and MySpace to keep track of changes and hours of operation.

Law office opening

Attorney Alan Green has taken an office in the Fernwell Executive Suites, 505 W. Riverside, in downtown Spokane.

Green is opening his own law office after practicing insurance law for more than two years. He will focus on personal injury, property damage, consumer protection issues and estate and business planning.