Brandon Woods Retirement Community is spending $5 million to increase privacy, expand food offerings and provide luxury-style amenities for its more than 300 residents.

And to brace for a wave of younger newcomers.

Brandon Woods, 1501 Inverness Drive, recently started renovations, upgrades and expansion projects to boost the attractiveness of the 30-acre retirement community. Officials hope that bigger rooms, more dining options, additional privacy and expanded commons areas will meet the needs and desires of aging baby boomers.

“We want to be ahead of the curve for the baby boom generation,” said Donna Bell, a Brandon Woods spokeswoman and former administrator. “We’re doing this because we know that the expectations are changing. We want to be the retirement community of choice here in Lawrence, a community that is unique in the state of Kansas. We’re first with a lot of things. We want to have a retirement community that’s up to the Lawrence standard.”

Included on the work list is giving a communal bathing room in the skilled-nursing area a makeover.

“We’re renovating what was more of an institutional type bathing room – like something you’d find in a hospital – to more of a resort-type spa, with a nice bathing space and nice grooming spaces,” Bell said.

Brandon Woods isn’t alone. Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community last year announced plans for a $7 million addition, to build 60 independent-living apartments. Other communities and services are busy reviewing their offerings to make sure they attract the residents needed to succeed in a market that demands additional services and features while facing financial constraints from tightened federal programs.

Brandon Woods is embarking on a million remodeling campaign which includes an 76,500 expansion of the main kitchen. This view on the north side of Brandon Woods complex facing Inverness Dr. shows the construction site of the new kitchen.

Jessie Ann Lusher, executive director for Douglas County Senior Services, expects more upgrades in Lawrence’s retirement communities. Even her organization, which reaches 3,500 seniors a year through traditional meals, transportation, recreation and other services, is looking for ways to reach younger, active clients.

“Younger seniors, or the baby boomers, are more interested in being entertained than their older counterparts, who spent more time working and raising families,” she said. “Brandon Woods is encountering that and having to make adjustments.”

Orvel Criqui, 81, and his wife, Nadine, moved into Brandon Woods in September after living for 42 years along Naismith Drive. Their independent living apartment offers them the comfort, security and access to services they desire.

They know some younger folks are on the way – and they happen to know many of them. Criqui, who retired in 1986 as principal of South Junior High School, sees former students every week as they visit their parents and grandparents at Brandon Woods.

Future residents will find private rooms, bigger common areas and a host of features that haven’t even been thought of yet, Criqui said. But the retired educator himself is looking forward to a little peace and quiet.

“We would like to have things done, and we have a difficult time being patient,” Criqui said. “What’s that old junior high prayer? ‘Lord, give me patience. And I want it right now.’ We’re kind of like that. But it will be done. It was good already, but it will be better.”