Two glass buildings called the Crystal Conservatories will be the latest addition to an expansion that began nearly 10 years ago at St. Barnabas Health System.
Work began this month at the health system's campus in Valencia for the conservatories, set to open in July.
One of the glass buildings will enclose a pool that is on the campus.
The other will be topped by a lighted cross and contain changing rooms for the pool, a kitchen and a banquet area. Called the tower, it will accommodate about 300 people and be available to the public for weddings or private parties.
"The conservatories will be the hallmark of the Valencia campus and unlike anything in the area," William V. Day, president of St. Barnabas Health System, said in a statement.
"I just think it's going to be the kind of thing where you turn the corner on the road leading to the hillside, and then just look up and say, 'Wow!' " said Kathleen Brenneman, director of public and media relations for St. Barnabas, which operates a medical center, nursing homes, assisted living facility and other facilities.
The construction cost for the Crystal Conservatories is $4.2 million. Several donations brought in an initial $1.88 million, and St. Barnabas Charities, the fund-raising arm of the health system, is trying to raise the remaining $2.3 million through a capital campaign.
Enclosing the 36-by-69-foot swimming pool will make it available year round to St. Barnabas residents for recreational swimming and aqua therapy.
"The new glass conservatory will be open to our residents in the carriage homes and to our patients from assisted living and nursing homes," Ms. Brenneman said.
The Valencia campus on Charity Place contains 113 carriage homes, which are single-level homes for retirees age 65 and older. Developed in stages over the past 10 years, plans call for a total of 300 eventually to be built.
The campus also contains The Arbors, a 182-bed assisted living facility, and Valencia Woods, a 47-bed nursing home.
First Published: November 25, 2007, 5:00 a.m.
