Westminster Winter Park, a senior living Life Plan Community of Westminster Communities of Florida, celebrated a major organizational milestone today with a ceremonial groundbreaking for its new, 375-seat Cultural Enrichment Center.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Winter Park Mayor Sheila DeCiccio, Westminster Communities of Florida leadership, and representatives from construction partners: Whiting-Turner, SCA, Thomas & Hutton, and IDA Interior Design.
This project marks a significant investment in resident well-being, lifelong learning, and the strengthening of ties with the broader Central Florida arts community. A significant portion of the project funding is provided by the Westminster Communities Foundation, a true testament to the incredible culture of dedication and philanthropy shared by many generous donors whose support is fundamental to the lasting impact of this vision. The state-of-the-art facility is set for completion in 2027.
A Venue for High-Caliber Programming
The new center is designed to be a premier venue, transforming how residents and the broader community learn, connect, and engage. It will feature a performance hall equipped with excellent acoustics, full accessibility, and technology for high-caliber programming. Unique features include an expansive reception area and a lakeview terrace, providing versatile space for gatherings and events at the Winter Park retirement community.
“This will be a permanent center for knowledge, culture, and entertainment right here at Westminster Winter Park,” said Westminster Communities of Florida Chief Executive Officer Hank Keith. “For residents, this center will ensure that arts, culture, and learning continue to play a vital role in personal well-being and healthy aging. For future residents, it will serve as the clearest introduction to the vibrant, active, and enriched lifestyle that defines a Westminster community.”
The Heart of Lifelong Learning
The Cultural Enrichment Center is driven by the community’s active commitment to artistic expression. The new center will dramatically expand the venue for arts instruction, performance, and resident showcases. The project represents a significant investment in building for better living and strengthening the bonds between Westminster Winter Park and its sister community, Westminster Baldwin Park, and the greater Central Florida community.
“Westminster already sets a high standard for enriching the lives of older adults, but this new Cultural Enrichment Center represents a bold step, in my view, into the future,” said President and CEO of LeadingAge Southeast, Steve Bahmer. “A recognition that arts, culture, and lifelong learning are not extras. They are essential to well-being and healthy aging.”
The vision is strongly supported by the community’s leadership and its residents, who anticipate the center will become a vibrant hub for daily life.
“It’ll be a welcoming space that enables sharing and showcasing the creativity, wisdom, and gifts of our community, thereby enriching the lives of all of our residents and beyond,” said Resident Council President Sandra Dooley. “The coming months of construction will pave the way for a beautiful, spacious state-of-the-art venue that will enhance our quality of life and have a lasting impact for generations to come.”
This sentiment is echoed by Westminster Winter Park’s active community of artists, for whom the new venue promises a dedicated space for creation and display.
“I have witnessed and felt how creativity keeps us vibrant, whole and productive,” said Beatrice Athanas, local artist and resident of Westminster Winter Park. “A song can lift a weary spirit, a poem can spark a lively conversation, and the painting can open profound doors to memory. The new cultural center will bring all these priceless gifts into one space, offering us a continued opportunity for learning and creation.”
Community Partnership and Vision
The vision for the Cultural Enrichment Center extends beyond the campus, establishing it as a bridge connecting Westminster to the greater Winter Park area.
“The center will be accessible to local schools and organizations, allowing us to actively foster new and existing community partnerships,” said Westminster Communities of Florida Chief Executive Officer Hank Keith.
“The center will grow into a thriving space where stories are shared, where music is heard, and where every creative endeavor is honored and celebrated,” Mrs. Athanas shared.
The groundbreaking for the Cultural Enrichment Center is more than just a construction milestone; it is a profound affirmation of Westminster Communities’ commitment to inspiring happy, healthy, and purposeful lives for generations to come. By investing in arts, culture, and community partnership, Westminster Winter Park continues enhance senior living innovation in Central Florida.
Interested in the inspired lifestyle at Westminster Winter Park? Learn more at WestminsterWinterParkFL.org.
