Fellowship Community began another phase of expansion Feb. 28.

Officials at the senior nursing care and independent living campus broke ground for Phase 4 of its current expansion project. This phase will include independent living townhouses, personal care facilities, apartments and a community center.

After a brief dedication service, Fellowship Community personnel, township and state officials, civic representatives and construction contractors dug into the soft ground with ceremonial shovels to mark the official groundbreaking.

"We're finally here. It's a wonderful community, Fellowship Community, that's what it is," said Robert Zentz, Fellowship president and CEO.

Zentz said excavation and other work has begun on the three major components for the expansion. The areas include:

· Beil Court, will include 22 independent living townhouses. Occupancy is slated for this fall. The townhouses are named in honor of Fellowship Community founder, the Rev. James Beil.

· Fellowship Villa will include 12 one-bedroom independent living apartments and 35 private and semiprivate personal care rooms. The Villa will offer state-of-the-art amenities such as an exercise area, wellness center, game room and common social areas. The residents will receive meals prepared by a chef to meet special dietary needs. The opening is set for Spring 2014.

· Zentz Community Center, named in honor Zentz, will feature 350 seats for community use. Zentz has been instrumental in allowing Fellowship Community to serve as a meeting place for community groups such as the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce, Whitehall Lions Club and Relay for Life of Whitehall. Zentz is president of the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the board of directors at Sacred Heart Hospital. He also works with many other organizations.

"It's a great facility," said state Rep. Julie Harhart, R-183rd, who has attended every groundbreaking and ceremony of Felloiwship Community over the years. "What you have created here is a vision for the future."

Whitehall Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said the new additions and existing facilities make it appropriate to call the campus The Village of Fellowship Community. It could join other township villages such as Egypt and Hokendauqua.

Speakers at the dedication program said Beil worked tirelessly with members of Bible Fellowship Church to rally for political help until they finally received permission to begin building Fellowship Manor in 1986. Beil raised funding and provided money from his own pocket, said the Rev. LeRoy Heller, chairman of the board of Bible Fellowship Church Homes Inc. Fellowship Manor opened in 1988.

Located off Rural and Mauch Chunk roads, Fellowship Community is a continuing care campus for seniors at every stage of life. Fellowship Courts provide independent living townhouses without the burden of homeownership. Fellowship Terrace is a state-licensed personal care facility designed for seniors who want the comfort of round-the-clock support services. Skilled nursing, rehabilitation and long-term care are available at Fellowship Manor.