Sheltering Arms and Westminister Canterbury expand in Richmond

Two well-known Richmond institutions, Sheltering Arms and Westminister Canterbury, are expanding in the region.

Sheltering Arms Hospital and VCU Health System have broken ground on a 114-bed rehabilitation facility on 25 acres in the West Creek Medical Park, east of the state Route 288 interchange in Goochland County.

“Today marks an important step forward in our plan to bring advanced technology, research, and evidenced-based clinical care together under one roof in order to offer our patients the best possible outcomes for success. Today we celebrate the building that will bring that goal to life,” Mary Zweifel, president and CEO of Sheltering Arms, said in a statement.

The joint venture combines inpatient beds from both organizations to create a multimillion-dollar hospital focused on caring for people who have survived strokes, spinal cord injuries or brain injuries, as well as those in need of general rehabilitation or various neurological diseases and disorders.

The Sheltering Arms Rehab Institute is expected to open in late spring of 2020.

Meanwhile, Westminster Canterbury Richmond, a continuing care retirement/life plan community, has purchased of 10.6 acres of land contiguous to its current campus at 1600 Westbrook Ave. The acreage is part of the former Azalea Mall property in Henrico County.

Westminster Canterbury has developed a master campus plan with THW Design of Atlanta, in collaboration with staff, trustees and residents.

The campus plan anticipates building 125 additional residences for people age 62 or older. The timeline for construction and presales will be announced at a later date.

“Westminster Canterbury has been planning for this for a long time. The time is right for us to expand our mission and our campus so we can better serve seniors in our region. We are extremely blessed to have the market and financial strength to make this significant investment in the future of this great organization,” John Burns, president and CEO of Westminister Canterbury Richmond said in a statement.

Westminster Canterbury is home to nearly 900 residents in independent-, assisted-, memory- support and health-care living. The campus includes a 335-seat theater and a child development center.