Siena Lakes Celebrates Five Years!

Peter and Mary Zimmermann spent time researching their senior living options, looking for a continuing care retirement community that offers a range of amenities and activities as well as peace of mind for the future.

As soon as they heard about Siena Lakes, an Erickson Senior Living community coming to Naples, Fla., they knew they'd found their new home.

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Today, as Siena Lakes celebrates its fifth anniversary, the Zimmermanns say that making the move was a great decision. "Everything--our residence, the amenities, and the quality of life--has exceeded our expectations," says Peter.

Impressive growth

Peter was so excited about their decision to move to Siena Lakes that he often stopped by to watch the community's first residences being built. "I enjoyed watching the construction, talking with the construction team, and thinking, 'This is going to be my home,'" he recalls.

Siena Lakes' staff noticed the Zimmermanns' enthusiasm and asked them to represent the incoming residents at the community's official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Mary spoke about what they were looking forward to in the coming years.

"Reading through those words five years later, I see that all the things we were anticipating have come to fruition," she says, with a smile.

As "pioneer" residents, some of the first retirees to move to Siena Lakes when it opened, Peter and Mary recall the excitement they felt seeing the construction of each additional building.

"Mary and I would walk out at night and just watch them go up little by little," Peter says. "The resulting campus is gorgeous!"

Today, residents are out and about at Siena Lakes' bocce and pickleball courts, theater, library, and golf simulator.

In addition to a state-of-the-art fitness center and pool, the campus has evolved to offer exercise classes, including everything from balance and strength training to aqua aerobics.

Other amenities such as a salon, dog park, and more restaurants--everything from fast-casual to formal dining--have been added to the community as well.

Resident input plays a key role in enhancing the community. When residents said the bocce court wasn't what they were used to in Florida, administrators took action.

"We recently redid the entire bocce area with step-down courts, new wood siding, shaded areas, and a drinking fountain," says Executive Director Mike McCormick. "We enhanced it to the style our residents recommended."

Pioneers' progress

Peter and Mary remember the early days when clubs and groups were still forming. While residents still play trivia, mah-jongg, bridge, poker, Rummikub, and other games, as they did from the start, more activities have developed.

The Zimmermanns had a hand in shaping these clubs and activities, with Mary starting a book club that still meets. When Peter discovered that other residents wanted to play golf as he did, he worked with Quail Village Golf Club nearby to set up a program for Siena Lakes, which is highly popular.

"When we first came here, so did about 14 other [couples] from the residential country club we all lived in, so we had friends from the start," says Peter. "But we've made so many other close friends over the years through activities."

Karen Cohn, another pioneer resident, has also found it easy to meet new people and make friends. Since the early days, she's been baking cakes for a group that gathers every Friday morning for coffee at Pietra's Bar.

"Everybody knows me here, and the coffee and conversation have been great," Karen says. "I was happy every time there were new people coming here. There's such a variety of residents. It's a good mix."

"The pioneer residents really helped shape this community into what it is today. All these activities are opportunities to socialize and build relationships," says Sales Director Suzy McAllister. "Five years later, the beautiful campus and active lifestyle continue to attract new residents to Siena Lakes."

Looking ahead

McCormick looks forward to the future and the continuous improvements that are being made at Siena Lakes. "We are so proud of the community that we've built over these last five years," he says. "The staff and residents worked together to create such a warm, friendly atmosphere. We are very much a family."

Peter and Mary agree. "It's like we're a family here. People are so kind and friendly and always have been," says Mary. "We can't believe five years have passed. Siena Lakes is truly a wonderful place to live!"

To learn more about senior living at this vibrant community, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.

By Michele Wojciechowski