The Academy Village, Tucson, Arizona
An Active Adult Community Devoted to the Arts and Life-Long Learning
If you’re looking for an active adult community with a focus on golf and a wealth of outdoor activities, there are plenty to choose from. But if you’re looking for a unique community with a passion for the arts, life-long learning, and wellness, The Academy Village is your answer. Located in the Rincon Valley southeast of Tucson, this 55+ community offers gorgeous weather, breathtaking mountain views and a multitude of art and cultural opportunities.
Academy Village features several types of single family homes and townhouses with well designed floor plans and open, spacious rooms designed to accommodate a casual Southwestern lifestyle. Five single-family designs and three townhouse models offer a variety of bedroom layouts, kitchen and family room combinations, formal living and dining rooms areas and utility rooms. Justine Polzin, Operations Manager at Academy Village, said, “All homes are single level and range in size from 934 square feet to 2,675 square feet. Base prices range from $179,000 to 399,000. You also have the option of adding a casita, a 300 square foot separate building that can be used as a guest room or an office.”
The homes are built by Doucette Homes, Inc., an award-winning homebuilder, who has been building in Tucson for over 25 years. All new Academy Village homes have earned the Energy Star® rating, a government-backed program helping individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.
The Arizona Senior Academy (ASA), located in the heart of the Village, is a non-profit organization devoted to life-long learning, thinking, and doing. It is a source of educational and cultural programs that complement the health and wellness programs, services, and social events provided by the Village Homeowner’s Association. “We offer a lovely gallery at the Community Center where local artists display their work for six weeks and we hold a nice reception for them,” Justine said. “We have quite a few residents who are artists and their work has also been displayed.” Together, these activities and services support a stimulating and fulfilling retirement. Members of ASA include all residents of the community as well as non-residents from Tucson and around the country.
The Academy was founded by Dr. Henry Koffler, President Emeritus of the University of Arizona, and his mission was two-fold: To create a community whose residents would have easy access to life-long learning and also have the opportunity to give back to the larger community. The Academy Village community is a supportive group of men and women who have discovered a new way of aging. On any given day, you may find a presentation on local geology, a yoga class, a first-rate concert, an art group exploring watercolors, a guest lecturer speaking on music theory, or a resident leading a discussion on astronomy.
Throughout the year, Academy members are provided with programs, seminars, and concerts. A wide range of courses have been offered covering a variety of topics including Medical Research, Modern Music, Biotechnology, Global Change, Chamber Music, American Literature and Anthropology.
“Our focus is on life-long learning and wellness and makes us very unique compared to the other 55+ communities in Tucson,” Lorraine Nelson, Administrative Assistant for the HOA said. “We’re never going to be a golfing community. We currently have 111 occupied homes with a total capacity of 264 homes. When you figure one to two people per household, it allows us to remain a community and a village.”
The Wellness Center provides residents with a comprehensive wellness advocacy program. It is currently funded through Homeowners’ Association dues, and most of the services provided are free to the residents. “The Wellness Center is staffed by a Registered Nurse five days a week and a Home Healthcare Aid that will go to the home on a fee-for-service basis.” Justine said. At the Wellness Center, residents can address health-related questions, learn more about a specific medical issue or get a referral for a doctor or a therapist.
The Fitness Program features a Fitness Director and associates who focus on strength, coordination, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. Current classes included in the HOA dues include yoga, circuit training, tai chi, low impact aerobics, water aerobics, and chair “total” fitness. Massages and individual and duo Pilates sessions are available on a fee-for-service basis. The fully-equipped Fitness Center features a heated pool and lighted tennis courts that face the beautiful Rincon Mountains.
The Village offers a full-service dining room that serves meals six days a week. We offer take-out and delivery meals as well as special needs meals. Gourmet wine dinners are offered about every six weeks.
Community service is a major interest among residents of the Village. Academy Village residents have made school presentations, mentored students, served as Science Fair judges, been “book share buddies” and sponsored aspiring young musicians.
The Academy Village offers beautiful homes with mountain views, life-long learning, and a host of activities to complement a wide range of interests, in addition to a Health and Wellness Center and a Fitness Center. Construction of an assisted living center will be completed during early 2010. Residents of this facility will have access to all of the same services that homeowners receive. But when asked what makes Academy Village a great community, many residents reply that it’s the friendly people and warm environment that really make it a special place to live.
Boomer-Living would like to thank Justine Polzin and Lorraine Nelson for sharing information with us about Academy Village,http://www.theacademyvillage.com. We encourage our viewers to consider this outstanding community when planning for retirement.
For more information about the property, to arrange a tour, or inquire about their three to five night stay as a Preferred Guest, call toll free at 1-877-647-0171 or visit their website at http://www.theacademyvillage.com.
Tags: active adult community, rincon valley
ADVERTISEMENT
Thank you for the very nice article on The Academy Village. I think you caught the essence of the community in a short and concise article. We appreciate it.
Being one of the pioneers who bought this concept before it was a reality at the turn of the century I can verify this report. There is no comparable place- we have our own indoor and outdoor space, our pets and we share values across many disciplines, so we learn from one another.