Ground Blessing to mark start of 62 new independent living residences, Town Center and expanded amenities
WEST LAFAYETTE , IN, UNITED STATES, September 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — University Place, a Franciscan Ministries community and sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, will mark the beginning of a major campus expansion with a Ground Blessing and Groundbreaking Ceremony at 2 p.m. September 29.
Situated on a picturesque 71-acre campus adjacent to the Celery Bog Nature Area, University Place offers residents a unique blend of natural beauty, walking trails and peaceful surroundings in the heart of the West Lafayette area.
The expansion will add 62 new independent living residences across three floors and a new Town Center, along with expanded dining, wellness and fitness amenities and new gathering and indoor and outdoor spaces. Construction is expected to begin in November, with the expansion anticipated to open in spring 2028.
The ceremony will bring together University Place residents, families, associates, Franciscan Ministries leaders, project partners, local representatives and members of the University Place Founders Club, a group of future residents who have already expressed their commitment to becoming part of the community, to celebrate the milestone and the future of the community.
“This groundbreaking is about building on what already makes University Place special,” said Regina Umanskiy, President and CEO of Franciscan Ministries. “Our current residents have shaped this community through the relationships, traditions and experiences they have created here. This expansion honors that legacy while creating new opportunities for people to become part of University Place.”
A New Town Center and Expanded Lifestyle
At the center of the expansion will be a new Town Center designed to serve as a social hub for residents, with dining, gathering and activity spaces that encourage connection and engagement.
New dining destinations will include The Founders Room, Boiler Bistro and Gather-and-Go, offering greater variety and flexibility. The expansion will also introduce FreshKitchen, Franciscan Ministries’ hospitality-inspired dining experience featuring fresh ingredients, chef-prepared meals and an enhanced range of selections.
Expanded wellness and fitness amenities, gathering spaces and thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor environments will further enhance opportunities for residents to remain active, pursue interests and connect with others.
A Franciscan Tradition of Building for the Future
The Ground Blessing will give the milestone a distinctly Franciscan meaning, connecting the new expansion to a tradition of service and stewardship.
When St. Francis of Assisi prayed before God, he heard the call to “rebuild My house.” What began as a call to rebuild a physical structure became a lifelong commitment to serving the Lord, creation and others – a spirit that continues through the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, Franciscan Ministries and the communities they serve.
“Today, we bless not only the ground where these new spaces will be built, but the people who will bring this vision to life and the community that will grow here,” said Dave Kinder, Executive Director at University Place. “We give thanks for those who have come before us, for the residents and associates who make University Place special today, and for the people who will one day walk through these doors and call this community their home.”
The expansion is part of Franciscan Ministries’ ongoing commitment to thoughtfully evolve its communities while remaining grounded in its mission to Celebrate Life and Serve with Joy and its philosophy of Living Joyfully.
Looking Ahead
Construction is expected to begin in November 2026, with the new residences and amenities anticipated to open in spring 2028.
Prospective residents interested in learning more about the expansion and future residences may contact University Place at 765.946.3991 or visit universityplace.org/expansion
A Legacy of Compassionate Care
Rooted in a longstanding tradition of service and guided by a mission to Celebrate Life and Serve with Joy, University Place has a rich history of providing trusted, compassionate care. As part of Franciscan Ministries, the community is supported by the strength, oversight, and resources of a nationally respected nonprofit ministry with more than 130 years of experience in senior living and healthcare. This connection reinforces University Place’s commitment to quality, accountability and continuous improvement – giving residents and families confidence and peace of mind in the care they receive. For more information, visit universityplace.org.
About Franciscan Ministries
Franciscan Ministries, sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, is a mission-driven, nonprofit Catholic senior living organization offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, post-acute rehabilitation and community-based services. In addition, Franciscan Ministries provides third-party management services through Franciscan Advisory Services, a senior housing consulting and real estate development organization that designs, develops, markets and operates a multi-brand portfolio of senior living communities.
Franciscan Ministries’ charitable programs include a domestic violence prevention center and shelter, as well as a Scholars Program that awards scholarships and provides educational support for students attending all-girls Catholic high schools in the Chicagoland area.
For more information, visit franciscanministries.org or call 331.318.5200.
Patrick Schuerer
Franciscan Ministries
+1 331-318-5130
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