Local

UCF plans to build retirement community

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Some central Florida retirees could have a chance to live the college life once again.

University of Central Florida officials plan to build a retirement community at McCulloch road, just off the school's campus.

The retirement center will be about a mile from the football stadium, on the northeast corner of the campus.

Retiree Alice Reinhardt's has a UCF student ID card.

"I'm just like any kid on campus. I've got a card and I can go anywhere they can really. It's a great thing," said Reinhardt.

Reinhardt and her husband Allen, also retired, keep schedule of lectures at UCF.

School representatives said the Reinhardts are part of a key demographic the university will target once it finishes construction of the retirement community on 59 acres they recently purchased for $6 million.

"If you're living here, you get all the amenities of being at the second largest university in the country; that means academics, that means speakers, that means athletics," said UCF spokesperson Grant Heston.

Officials said the community will be modeled after Oak Hammock, at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

It will offer independent and assisted living and memory care housing for Alzheimer's patients.

Residents will also be helped by UCF students, who will be able to intern at the center in areas like physical therapy and business management.

Alice Reinhardt said it could be the perfect fit.

"It does all the things we need. They will take care of us when we can't drive any more. We'll be near our kids who are in Orlando and we'll have entertainment nearby," she said.

Seminole County still has to approve the development and officials said the project is still a few years away from opening.

Just like any continuing care retirement community, the costs can be high. AARP says entrance fees for this type of housing range from $100,000 up to $1 million.