Good day Ovation Nation,
It has been 10 days since I had to inform you of the fire at Ovation East (independent living). Much has happened during the last week and a half.
Since that time, our team have been reaching out to all of you to assure you we are working feverishly to take the steps needed to open Ovation Heartwood Preserve.
Here is what we know and have accomplished as of today.
24-hour security and additional exterior cameras around all the properties is in place and power has been restored to our Ovation West (assisted living and memory care) building. We have verified Ovation West sustained no damage, which we are very grateful for. We are working on restoring temporary power to Ovation East. This will enable lighting for the remediation efforts in Ovation East and internet to be turned back on at the campus. Internet is integral to running Ovation West.
Starting this week and continuing for a couple of weeks, we will see a lot of activity in Ovation East as there are experts on site for salvaging art, furniture, and appliances in the north half of Ovation East. We will also see large equipment brought in to ensure the safety and begin clean-up of the south half of the building. OFD put approximately two million gallons of water on the building, so that has created substantial damage that is clearly visible. Once the south half is deemed safe (expected around 5/16), investigators for all interested parties will be able to access the areas of focus to work on the origin and cause of the fire.
For clarification, anyone stating they know the origin or cause would simply be speculating. We do not expect the experts to share an answer anytime soon, as there are numerous forensic engineers and experts that will need to complete their due diligence. With the magnitude and number of parties involved in this fire, it will take considerable time.
We are meeting with our associates this week to ensure they are informed of the work we have been doing and how they may play a role in our efforts. We have continued our daily standing Ovations with them virtually to keep our culture strong and engaged. A special team has been formed to manage this process to streamline it. It includes corporate officers, local management, and experts to support us in making solid decisions that move us towards our goal.
We are incredibly thankful to have the support of our community. The Omaha Fire Department, the City of Omaha, Heartwood Preserve developers, fellow senior living communities, referral partners and our business partners have all been incredibly supportive.
But the people we really want to thank is you, our depositors, and future residents, who have supported us through your understanding and flexibility, as we have asked you to rearrange your lives. I know this was a setback for all of us and I am truly sorry for that.
We are hoping to hold a resident town hall on May 11th in the afternoon. We are in the process of securing a location, so please stay tuned as we try to secure the date and time. Our team will be in touch ASAP, once details are confirmed. We will have a panel of local management and corporate leaders to help answer questions. We know that we won’t be able to answer all your questions but would like at least to give the opportunity for us to give as much information as available.
Know that we are doing everything possible, while always keeping your safety in mind, to prepare the buildings for you.
Thank you for your support, and please, if you need to speak to me or a member of the team, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here for you.
Kind regards,
Stephanie Grade
General Manager
Stephanie.Grade@ovationbyavamere.com
p 402.999.7900
m 402.800.4643