Gearing up for growth: Necedah might see rapid changes

0 Comments | La Crosse Tribune, Jan 28, 2001 | by Lamb, Bob

NECEDAH, Wis. - Necedah, a tiny village of 743 residents in central Wisconsin, is expected to grow considerably in the next few years.

MPC Development LLC of Stoddard and the village of Necedah have established a private/public partnership to develop Oak Grove Golf Community - an 18-hole golf course, that will be surrounded by condominiums, residential property and senior assisted-living units.

With a price tag of about $9 million, Conrad Seymour, MPC managing member, expects Oak Grove Community to quickly become a popular spot for baby boomers and seniors.

"This will be a state-of-the art facility," said Seymour, who also developed River Center Plaza and Apartments in downtown La Crosse and is proceeding with work on the Doerflinger building project. He also developed Pleasant Valley Seniors in Stoddard, which is expected to open this spring.

The partnership between MPC and Necedah will result in an 18-hole golf course, 196 condominium and custom home lots adjacent to the golf course, and 43 assistedcare apartments in the former Necedah High School.

Located in Juneau County, Necedah is a hotbed for summer tourists. Boaters, campers and anglers flock to the area that features two grand bodies of water. Katie Roellig, director of sales and marketing for MPC, said Petenwell Flowage is the second-largest lake in Wisconsin. Castle Rock Flowage is the fourth largest. Necedah is sandwiched between the two.

Roellig said most tourists drive from the Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Chicago areas to enjoy the outdoor recreation opportunities. Many tourists have second homes along the shores of the flowages and are spreading throughout other areas of the county.

For that reason alone, Seymour believes Necedah is a perfect site for his latest project. Plus, he has seen other similar developments in the southeast and west coast regions of the United States and believes they are the wave of the future.

"The things they do with baby boomers in other parts of the country is what we're doing here - small lots with a nice home or condo that backs up to a golf course," Seymour said. "We've had several people come to us and say they need a place for mom and dad to live, too. We have the assisted care facility, plus a place for a second home or condo nearby."

That's what has become so appealing to people in their 50s and older who enjoy the outdoors. Toss in a golf course and it's paradise, Roellig said.

The 6,200-yard, par-71 golf course might be the most appealing feature to seniors 55 and older who are in good health. However, Roellig believes the former Necedah High School, which is being renovated into assisted-living units, will fill quickly once prospective residents discover all the features, including golf course and power cart privileges, a large indoor swimming pool and spa, an exercise room, beauty shop, barber shop, dining area, gift shop, media center with computers, examination room, some garages, raised flower beds and an indoor basketball/recreation area.

Roellig said that while the seniors might not use some of the amenities like the basketball court, their grandchildren will.

Rob Simonson, formerly with Bethany Lutheran Association in La Crosse, owns Apex Management, LLC. As an assisted-living consultant, Simonson was hired by Seymour in October. He is directing the operation at Pleasant Valley Seniors in Stoddard as well as working on Oak Grove in Necedah.

Simonson and Seymour said converting existing buildings into senior living units works well. For example, Seymour renovated a 30-unit motel into a successful seniors apartment in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He converted Pleasant Valley Elementary School into a much needed 13-unit senior facility in Stoddard. His latest renovation is the Necedah High School that was vacated two years ago. The high school originally was purchased by Duane Zenke of La Crescent, who sold it to MPC.

"The thing that I'm happy about the most is that we are providing the community with a much needed service, We provide the service you need," Simonson said. "This will be a campus with condos, golf and seniors housing."

Seymour said one-bedroom and two-bedroom units will be open in 90 days. He expects the apartment complex to be completed by July 1.