ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – The Canterbury House, an assisted living facility in Alexandria, held a grand re-opening on October 16, at 2 p.m.
The facility’s new owners, Allegiance Healthcare, said that renovations to the property at 1101 16th Street are being done so their senior community can be proud to call the Canterbury House their home.
Kenneth Volentine has lived at Canterbury House for four years. He moved in after the loss of his wife Carolyn and after his house suffered damage in a hurricane.
“I didn’t know what to do without my wife or my house,” Volentine said.
One of Volentine’s five children suggested he move closer to her, but the retired police officer said he didn’t want to be a burden.
“I wanted to have my own life too,” Volentine said. “I didn’t want to be in the way of the children and their marriages and child-rearing and all of those things.”
Volentine and his daughter looked around Cenla for assisted living facilities. He said he was sold once he toured Canterbury House.
“They showed me the biggest apartment here and I liked it,” Volentine said.
Volentine said he likes the staff at Canterbury House, but admitted the facility was due for an upgrade.
“It was in need of refurbishing, the carpet was old and should have been replaced years ago,” Volentine said.
In came Allegiance Healthcare. The health system took over Canterbury House at the end of June 2024. Allegiance Healthcare CEO Joe Monsour said the former owners of Canterbury House reached out because of Allegiance Healthcare’s reputation of rehabbing facilities.
“The building had not had anything done in a number of years there was a lot of deferred maintenance,” said Monsour. “There was actually bed bugs, the fire marshal had some issues. So, it was in very close jeopardy of being closed down.”
Canterbury house has 60 units. Monsour said when Allegiance Healthcare bought the facility only 27 of the units were habitable. In the past 90 days, the veteran-owned company has remodeled all of the units on the first floor. Monsour said it’s important for veterans and senior citizens to live out the rest of their golden years in peace
“These people are our family and we want them to feel like they’re part of our family and we want them to be proud of where they live. So we’re proud of what we’re able to do to provide a place like this for people in need,” Monsour said.
The second and third floors are slated to be remodeled in the next two years, according to the company’s COO, Brandon Melancon. He said the project is privately funded and new residents joining the community would help support additional phases of rehabilitation, like adding perimeter fencing.
“We put our money where our mouth is and we’re proud of it and it’s more than a job for the majority of you guys standing out here and I’m glad to be a part of it,” Melancon said.
Volentine’s apartment is set to be remodeled in that two year window. He said he is looking forward to his apartment being renovated although he is content with where he’s at.
“I don’t have anybody that I have to impress,” said Volentine. “I’m 78 years old and I just do what I want to do.”
For more information on Canterbury House you can visit them in person or call (318) 445-7715.
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