The Village Cooperative of Shawnee is the first of its kind in the Kansas City area. A similar facility is set to open in Lawrence next year.

SHAWNEE — When the ribbon was cut, the residents cheered.

For many of them, the snap of the giant silver scissors was more than just a sign of a new building opening its doors. It was a promise of a new home.

Tears were shed and smiles were wide at the grand opening of the Village Cooperative of Shawnee on Wednesday afternoon.

The retirement community, located at 12830 Johnson Drive, is the first Village Cooperative in the Kansas City area. There is one set to be constructed in Lenexa this summer, with others planned for Lee’s Summit and Lawrence in the future. The Lawrence facility is expected to open sometime next year.

The senior cooperative development, designed for those 55 and over, runs on a unique structure where residents don’t rent but instead join a cooperative, buying a share in their apartment building.

The $12 million community in Shawnee is already sold out.

Members of the cooperative have choices of one- and two-bedroom living spaces that range from 900 to 1,600 square feet.

Each living space is maintenance-free, per the cooperative, and has its own laundry room, storage area and private balcony. The development will be managed by an onsite resident services manager.

Village Cooperative communities are developed by Real Estate Equities Development LLC, a Minnesota-based firm.

They have grown in popularity in the Midwest over the past decade because they offer the benefit of homeownership without the hassle of maintenance, said Andrew Schaefer, of Real Estate Equities Development.

Many of the residents who have already moved in completely agree.

When his health took a turn for the worse, Wally Glanville and his wife, Carolyn, decided to seek a secure and affordable place to live.

Maintaining their home, south of Shawnee Mission Northwest, was overwhelming for the couple.

After looking at numerous options, the Shawnee couple realized the perfect fit was right under their noses.

The Village Cooperative of Shawnee was close to their church and grocery stores, plus it allowed them to stay close to family.

So far, the couple couldn’t be happier with their decision.

“It’s a diverse group of people living here, but they’re the type you feel comfortable with because everyone seems very friendly and caring,” Wally Glanville said. “In an individual home, you could be there alone for days. Here, you see people all the time.”

Several other couples echoed their sentiments.

During the presentation, co-op members and longtime Shawnee residents Michael and Fran Kernicky told the crowd they spent years looking for an appropriate senior living community.

The concept of ownership is what intrigued them the most.

Members Larry and Martha Schmitt admitted to the crowd they had searched as far as Texas and Arizona looking for a new home, before realizing Shawnee was the perfect location for them.

“We love being social with other couples our own age,” Larry Schmitt said. “Now, we’re living in a building with dozens of other people who share our likes. We also have children and grandchildren living nearby.”

The social benefits of living in a senior cooperative development are one of the biggest draws for many couples, said Schaefer, who was project manager for the Village Cooperative of Shawnee.

The community bonds people quickly.

Residents travel together, go out for dinner, volunteer in the community, throw parties, and even have happy hours or poker nights, Schaefer said.

The apartment building also offers several amenities.

There is a secure underground parking garage with a car wash bay, a fitness room, a community room, a club room, a garden area, a courtyard with a gazebo, a guest suite and soon there will also be a woodworking shop.

Nationwide, there are currently 24 Village Cooperatives either operating, under construction, or scheduled for construction in the next year.