Nick and Audrey Turner are the New Owners of the Grand Villa Apartments

 

May 12, 2021

New Owners of the Grande Villa Retirement Apartments Nick and Audrey Turner along with their two children Colson Turner, age 6 and Livia Turner, age 5.

Dave and Betty Sprinkle left their mark on the small town of Chinook long before they led the effort to build the Grande Villa. Dave ran the old-time gas station that people nowadays know as the Bear Paw Credit Union. The building itself is listed on the National Registry of Historical Buildings and still features the old-fashioned gas pumps outside the main entrance. Betty was a beloved teacher at the Eastside Middle School (grades 4-8) located between the courthouse and the high school, now the parking lot for the two buildings.

In 1979, the Grande Villa was dedicated "To those living who helped make it possible and to those deceased who would have helped had they been there" as the plaque on the front of the building proudly states. The building has 41 apartments, including 26 single bedroom and 15 two-bedroom rentals. For the past 41 years the facility was owned and managed by Dave and Betty and then their daughter, JoLynn Anderson. In January of 2021 Nick and Audrey Turner assumed management of the facility.

Anyone who has lived in Chinook is more than familiar with the huge brick building with the impressive landscape and beautiful Charlie Russel Fountain. The Grande Villa is a staple of the community and everyone in town knows someone who is or has lived at the Grand Villa. It is designed to be a 'Retirement' Apartment complex and is privately owned but operates HUD agreement. It is for elderly, handicapped, or disabled individuals capable of independent living. The amount of rent paid depends upon income minus medical expenses to find adjusted gross income.

Located in the heart of Chinook, residents find themselves just across the street from the post office and the senior center and just a block away from the local grocery store and hardware store. Each apartment includes the necessities, refrigerator, stove and the building is equipped with 24 hour digital video surveillance at each entrance and in every hallway. The main doors are locked nightly, providing a very secure and safe living experience for its residents.

Jolynn has been managing the Grande Villa from her home in Mile City since 2003. Accomplishing this from such a distance away has never been easy, but she managed. Barb Jergeson has been performing on-site managerial duties at the Villa for years and her contribution to the buildings sustainability can't be overstated, "Without Barb Jergeson the Villa would not be the building that it is today. Through her management it has been flawlessly maintained and the needs of the residents have been more than met. Audrey and I are extremely grateful for Barb and her commitment and dedication that she has done and still continues to do for us and the residents of the Grande Villa," stated Nick.

So, what led to Nick and Audrey taking over control of the Grand Villa, "In October of 2020 we heard that JoLynn was looking for someone to take over management of the property. After a few phone calls back and forth with JoLynn, Audrey and I decided that this would be a good opportunity for a change of ownership and we took over management of the building in January of 2021," said Nick. "My wife and I are very excited to take on this project and look forward to getting to know every one of our residents as well as becoming involved in the community of Chinook."

Audrey Turner's maiden name is Sprinkle, Dave and Betty being her great aunt and uncle. "I have always felt a connection to Chinook because of these family ties to the community," stated Audrey. And for the building to go to Dave and Betty's Great Niece, "I'm just so happy that the building is going to stay in the family," said JoLynn.

Nick and Audrey will be moving the family to Chinook soon but are more than familiar with the area. "Nick has been a part of the Chinook school system for the past 10 years as a teacher at the Hartland Elementary. In the fall Nick will be transferring to Meadowlark Elementary where he will teach fourth grade. "We are excited to move our family to Chinook and continue to provide affordable housing for years to come," concluded Nick.

As far as the tenants of the Grande Villa are concerned the transition has been seamless and smooth. Nick and Audrey have quickly shown a desire to improve the facility, fixing the elevator and improving the landscape. The Turners have a lot of things they would like to see done and are up for the challenge. One thing Audrey is looking forward to is getting the fountain up and running, "It's a really nice look for the property!"

 
 

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