Ground Broken on New Pasadena Campus For Villa Esperanza Services

Villa Esperanza Services broke ground last week on a new campus addition to serve its intellectually and developmentally disabled clients. The project will be built across two phases, replacing existing structures some of which date back to before the nonprofit’s first year, 1961.

The project is at Villa Esperanza’s Pasadena campus at 2116 East Villa Street.

The first phase consists of an 8,600 square-foot Occupational Therapy Clinic, a 21,000 square-foot Physical  Education and Therapeutic Center, and three additional school classrooms. 

Construction of the final phase will consist of a two-story structure containing the main reception area, administration, speech and language center, community room and subterranean parking lot. 

The construction is being executed by Pasadena-based C.W. Driver Companies.

“It’s especially rewarding working on this new campus for Villa Esperanza, as their services impact the lives of more than 700 individuals and their families each year,” said Karl Kreutziger, president at C.W. Driver Companies. “This new center will expand their therapy and education opportunities, helping young people and adults lead happier lives.” 

C.W. Driver is working with Gonzalez Goodale Architects on the project. 

The new clinic will provide individual therapy rooms for one-on-one interaction, a waiting area, and a separate entrance and therapy space. Services will include early intervention services for children ages 0-5, occupational therapy, music therapy, and life skills classes.  

The Physical Education and Therapeutic Center will include workout equipment and a large, half-gym and activity room facility which can be used for exercise and basketball, as well as

 an area for teaching practical life skills classes such as cooking and how to make a bed. 

The three new classrooms will serve children in the elementary and middle school programs and will provide open, airy spaces with break-out areas, restrooms, and therapeutic  hammocks. 

One large play area will be designed to incorporate a variety of engagement opportunities including swings, interactive equipment, and climbing areas. In addition, each new classroom will have access to private outdoor space along with a communal  area for working outdoors.