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  • PHOTO PROVIDED Frank and Peggy Morrison can enjoy a quiet meal to themselves in their new home, in Touchmark's newest addition, or stroll down to the Creekside Dining Room to enjoy a chef-prepared meal along with the company of others. PHOTO PROVIDED

    Touchmark_Morrisons_PrayerA.jpg

  • PHOTO PROVIDED The full-size kitchen suits Peggy and Frank Morrison just fine in their new apartment. They recently moved to Touchmark at Coffee Creek, which recently opened its $15-million three-story Grandview expansion and separate memory-care neighborhood. PHOTO PROVIDED

    Touchmark_Kitchen-MorrisonsA.jpg

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July 30, 2010

EPA recognizes Touchmark for green-power purchase

The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — Touchmark at Coffee Creek’s $15 million expansion is complete. With the project’s completion comes the distinction of being the largest nonpublic commercial purchaser of wind energy, a form of green power, in Edmond.

For the past four years, Touchmark, 2801 Shortgrass Road, has been purchasing alternative power from Edmond Electric. The expansion allows the retirement community to build on its commitment to the environment and its ongoing collaborative relationship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership. Today, Touchmark buys more than 2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually. This is enough green power to meet 100 percent of the organization’s electricity use.

This purchase also qualifies Touchmark for EPA’s Green Power Leadership Club, a distinction given to organizations that have significantly exceeded EPA’s minimum purchase requirements. Green Power Leadership Club members must purchase 10 times the partnership’s minimum requirement.

According to the EPA, Touchmark’s purchase demonstrates a proactive choice to switch from traditional sources of electricity generation and support cleaner renewable energy alternatives.

“EPA commends Touchmark at Coffee Creek for its commitment to green power,” said Susan Wickwire, chief of the Energy Supply and Industry Branch at EPA. “Touchmark is further demonstrating how individual businesses can substantially reduce their carbon footprint and boost renewable energy generation in this country.”

The EPA estimates that Touchmark’s green power purchase is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of more than 300 passenger vehicles per year — or the CO2 emissions from the electricity use of nearly 200 average American homes annually.

“We are proud to be recognized by the EPA,” said Touchmark Executive Director Jamie Ham. “In today’s world, with evidence of increasing pollution mounting, using alternative energy sources like wind power makes a great deal of sense.”

 

Expansion adds 86 residences

A year ago this month on July 10, 2009, Touchmark had a ceremony that launched construction of the Prairieview memory care neighborhood and a three-story addition of apartments offering independent and assisted living. The building permit approved for the project was the largest permit issued by the city that year.

Prairieview covers almost 38,000 square feet and includes 50 private studios with full bathrooms. It is divided into four neighborhoods, each with 12 to 13 residences. The small neighborhoods provide a family atmosphere. Two neighborhoods can be opened to allow residents to stroll in a controlled setting.

Each neighborhood has its own kitchen and dining area, living room, space for activities and access to the courtyard. There are two spa baths, each supporting two neighborhoods. A beauty salon/barber shop, multipurpose room, family conference room and doctor’s office are shared by the four neighborhoods.

A secure, outdoor garden provides residents contact with living plants, raised garden beds and seasonal plantings.

The Touchmark memory-care program offers specialized care in an environment specifically designed for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other age-related dementia illness. The design draws on the most recent research for providing a comfortable and secure environment for people experiencing memory loss.

A new wing on the Grandview building adds almost 35,000 square feet of apartments for people who live independently as well as those who need some assistance with their daily activities. The 36 apartments range in size and include studio; one-bedroom; two-bedroom, one-bath; and two-bedroom, two-bath designs. The architectural style and finishes are consistent with and complement the other buildings in the community.

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