- Story by Tess van Straaten Photography by Don Denton

At the age of 93, successful Victoria entrepreneur and philanthropist Gordon Denford is showing no signs of slowing down.

Asked how long he plans to keep working, the founder of laughs and says, 害羞草研究所淲hat else is there to do?害羞草研究所�

He adds: 害羞草研究所淚 guess if you enjoy what you do, why would you stop?害羞草研究所�

Gordon害羞草研究所檚 been building apartments for almost 60 years, developing Victoria害羞草研究所檚 first condominium, Cedar Village, in the late 害羞草研究所�60s. He opened the first Berwick residence, Berwick House, in Gordon Head, 31 years ago. Since then, Berwick Retirement Communities, which he runs with his son, Chris Denford, has grown to include resort-style residences where people can enjoy retirement in Nanaimo, Comox, Campbell River, Kamloops and Qualicum Beach. Construction is currently underway on the latest property in Parksville, which will have pickleball courts, lawn bowling, bocce and even a Zen meditation garden.

害羞草研究所淸Parksville] is largely based on our Berwick Royal Oak Residence in Victoria, which has a large production theatre for residents as well as for people from the community. And the fitness centre we害羞草研究所檙e designing is even further expanded, so the outside community can come in and enjoy the facilities,害羞草研究所� 56-year-old Chris explains. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 all designed to not only provide the residents with an amazing, awesome experience, but also to give the people in the general community a chance to come in and interact with our residents.害羞草研究所�

Building connection and community is at the centre of what the Denfords do害羞草研究所攆rom the unique design of each building, which is created to reflect the distinct community it害羞草研究所檚 in, to a strong focus on amenities and a 害羞草研究所渨e害羞草研究所檙e a big family害羞草研究所� management style, which includes regularly having meals with residents (outside of the COVID-19 pandemic).

害羞草研究所淭he problem with early seniors害羞草研究所� places that were built up to the 1980s is they didn害羞草研究所檛 take into consideration interaction between residents, and the idea of providing recreation and activities was unheard of,害羞草研究所� says Gordon, who saw first-hand the design failings when his mother was moved into a publicly-funded facility. 害羞草研究所淧eople were sitting in wheelchairs in the reception area, including my mother, and that was their idea of getting them out of their rooms,害羞草研究所� he says. 害羞草研究所淚 had her moved out of there 24 hours later.害羞草研究所�

Boulevard Magazine, a Black Press Media publication
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