New wing near completion at retirement village

A new 12-unit wing under construction at Smith Mountain Lake Retirement Village at Westlake is expected to open by the end of the month.

“The facility is close to at‑capacity, and we need more room to grow,” said administrator Eric Hayes.

Hayes said the new assisted-living units are larger than others that are available. He compared the rooms, which have a kitchenette, handicapped-accessible bathrooms, walk-in shower with built-in bench and a call-signal system to alert staff when residents are in need, to a “very big efficiency.” The wing will have its own nurses station and laundry facility .

SML Retirement Village, which is owned by Runk & Pratt, opened in 2008. It offers independent living cottages, assisted living and memory care.

— Elizabeth Hock

Weather Journal

3 hours ago

1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County 

2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day

3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys

4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping 

5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football 

6. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust

7. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen

8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible

9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli 

10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area