News

Carolina Village is expected to buy Opportunity House

Photos of people: Intergenerational programming is common at Carolina Village. Students from FernLeaf Community Charter School come to campus often to spend time with residents crafting, playing games, interviewing, and learning. Similar programming is Carolina Village’s vision for the multi-use space previously known as the Opportunity House. [CONTRIBUTED]

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 30, 2024

Carolina Village has made an offer to purchase the Opportunity House, the once-robust senior center that fell slowly into ruin under a series of questionable management decisions.

The offer has been accepted by the attorney for the property at 1411 Asheville Highway. The anticipated sale includes the 19,800-square-foot facility and the 2 acres it occupies.

The Opportunity House has a rich history as a senior center, serving the aging population with everything from bridge games to arts and crafts to lectures and dances. This service has been missed by many since the Opportunity House’s closure. Carolina Village intends to honor that history and return the Opportunity House to its place of service to the community through collaborative community partnerships.

Henderson County’s only Type-A (all-inclusive) Life Care/Continuing Care Retirement Community, Carolina Village is is home to 550 residents, ages 62 to 105 on its 96-acre campus located off Four Seasons Boulevard. It employs 370 staff members.

Plans for the Opportunity House revival do not include on-site housing. Carolina Village leaders are currently in discussion with other community non-profits regarding collaborative uses of the facility to serve a broad range of services, from children to seniors:

● Childcare options: Working closely with the Henderson County Early Childhood Task Force, Children and Family Resource Center, and Smart Start Partnership for Children, Carolina Village recognizes the community-wide problem of a lack of affordable childcare options. Current discussions center around creative childcare options in this space, including intergenerational programming.
● Senior wellness: Carolina Village has close partnerships with existing senior services, including Council on Aging, the Congregate Dining program, and others. Several of these services have been displaced recently and Carolina Village aims to provide a permanent location for these services. Other possible uses for the space include geriatric wellness research and training by specially trained health professionals.
● Memory care: Alzheimer's and dementia services are a significant need in Henderson County, a need that Carolina Village hopes to alleviate in partnership with MountainCare Adult Day.
● Health care: Carolina Village works closely with local healthcare providers and will continue to do so in this new initiative.

As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Carolina Village gives a minimum of 5% of its annual revenue to charity care and community benefit. In addition to providing charitable care to residents in need, Carolina Village also provides support for numerous programs outside of Carolina Village, such as the Henderson County Hunger Coalition, Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, Hospice, local schools, local support groups, and many more.

“We are excited to expand our community involvement through the reimagining of the Opportunity House,” Kevin Parries, Carolina Village President and CEO, said in a news release. “We are proud of our reputation in the community, and we want to remind folks that we are not just housed on our 96 acres. The Village, our staff members, our residents, and our Board are deeply involved in Henderson County, helping make it the vibrant community that it is. We see this project as an opportunity to continue doing the important work to serve our broader community in new and collaborative ways.”

"The revival of the Opportunity House is a testament to the collaboration and innovation that make our community so special,” said Trina Stokes, Carolina Village Board Chair. “As an employer, we are well aware of the need for innovative childcare options, and as a premier provider of services to adults, we understand the diverse needs of those who choose to live and thrive in Henderson County. This initiative is all about meaningful engagement across generations."

"We appreciate Carolina Village for acknowledging the gaps in child care in our community,” said Jamie Wiener, executive director of the Children and Family Resource Center. “This collaborative project will benefit Henderson County for years to come by creating space for our youngest residents to learn and grow and our oldest residents will have a space to cultivate relationships and improve their well-being."

MountainCare Adult Day Executive Director Elizabeth Williams said: "We are thrilled to partner with Carolina Village in this exciting endeavor to revitalize the Opportunity House. This collaborative project addresses critical needs in our community, from childcare to senior services. This initiative will allow us to create innovative intergenerational programs that benefit both our seniors and our youth. The reimagined Opportunity House will truly live up to its former name, providing new opportunities for connection, care, and community engagement across all ages."

The closing date for the sale has yet to be determined. Renovations will follow.