ABOUT US

A group of visionaries saw the need for an apartment complex for the elderly following the Belmond tornado of 1966. When the first complex, McBurney Apartments, opened in 1971, there were more people desiring an apartment than the number of units available. To fill that known need, Buseman Apartments opened in 1976. By 1978, Rise Apartments had also been completed, making a total of 88 apartments. With the addition of the Redder-McLaughlin Apartments in 1982, the complex now boasts 108 apartments to house the elderly. For a town with a population of 2,500, this is an impressive number, and in it’s early days the complex was said to be one-of-a-kind in Iowa. The complex is all on ground level, connected by indoor hallways, and has the added feature of the Leinbach Community Center. The Center is used almost daily by various community groups. On holidays, back-to-back family gatherings often utilize the Center.

Many changes have occurred since the complex opened its doors in 1971. Among the four complexes, 303 recorded people have come and gone. Presently there are 109 people living in the apartments, making a total of 412 people who have called, or are calling the Belmond Community Apartments “home.” There have been three on-site managers with Connie S. Eckhoff being the present one, having served in that capacity for the past 18 years. The staff also has included custodial personnel, with the full time custodian, Jan Crawford, serving 16 years.

At present, Belmond Community Apartments have helped three tenants celebrate their 100th birthday. With the services of county health nurses, homemakers and health aides now more readily available, people can remain in their homes longer. It was once said that living in a great retirement community, such as Belmond Community Apartments, Inc., can add at least 10 years to one’s life. That must be the case, as our average age is 83 years young. There are presently 21 tenants that are 90 or over!

Over the years, many changes have taken place, including the updating of apartments in the way of cabinets, flooring, appliances and windows. Technology has changed and computers, copy machines, faxes, web pages have all been added.

It is because of the people who live here that Belmond Community Apartments, Inc. continues to be one of the best retirement complexes around. Belmond is proud of those who had the vision to build it, and those keeping it’s vision alive.