CAPE ELIZABETH — The dilapidated former Viking nursing home has been renovated and remodeled and will open in November as Cape Memory Care.

The new Alzheimer’s facility on Scott Dyer Road is owned and operated by Woodlands Assisted Living of Waterville. The family owned business, headed by Lon Walters, operates four other Alzheimer’s care centers in Hallowell, Brewer, Rockland and Waterville. It also runs nursing homes and an independent retirement apartment complex.

The center, previously owned by Sunwest Management Co. of Oregon, has been empty since 2005. Walters purchased the five-acre property at auction a year ago for $825,000. At the time, the building was run down and outdated and there was considerable water damage.

After receiving permits from the town, Walters demolished the oldest part of the facility, a single-story building built in 1979. A two-story section that was built in 1994 has now been completely renovated.

Walters’ son, Matthew Walters, is the chief operating officer of the company. He said the building is completely new and unrecognizable from the previous facility.

“We have done a complete rehabilitation, gutted the building, and started from scratch,” he said. “The shell is the same, but the interior includes design elements unique to Memory Care. The inside has a safe and comforting environment.”

Walters said the the facility can accommodate 72 residents and many admission inquiries have already been received. 

The facility will include furnished private and semi-private bedrooms with private bathrooms, secured exits, an emergency call system and fire safety system. It will have separate home-like living, dining, garden and activities rooms; a hair salon and secured outdoor courtyard; gazebo, walking paths and gardens.

Olga V. Gross of Scarborough is the executive director and David H. Rogers of Cape Elizabeth is the director of admissions and community relations. 

“When all the positions are filled, we will have about 45 full-time employees,” Walters said.

He said an open house and grand opening will be scheduled for the beginning of November as an opportunity for neighbors, residents and family members to tour the facility and ask questions.

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net

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Construction of the new Cape Memory Care facility on Scott Dyer Road in Cape Elizabeth is expected to be complete in November.

Cape Memory Care will house up to 72 residents, with an activity room, dining facilities and office space.