A new independent retirement home under construction on the service road off U.S. 1 near Pennsylvania Avenue in Southern Pines remains on schedule to open in February 2011.

Southern Pines Retirement Residence, a three-story, 115,000-square-foot project, is on the site of the former Mini Pines, an 18-hole miniature golf course and family entertainment center that included a go-cart track.

"We've done a significant amount of earth work, and we expect to being pouring the foundations and to begin utilities work very soon," said Eric Mulligan, vice president of Colston & Colston General Contractors Inc.

Colston & Colston is overseeing the project for Hawthorn Retirement Group. Both companies are based in the Pacific Northwest.

Work on the site began in February. The Southern Pines Town Council approved the development more than a year ago.

The new retirement facility will consist of a main building and three smaller ones. The main building will have 107,000 square feet and will house a dining facility, a movie theater, exercise facility and 118 living units, which will be studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments.

There will also be three duplex cottages, with two bedrooms, two baths and a full kitchen.

The building will feature on-site managers and co-managers. Residents will receive three meals a day, and all utilities except for telephone, will also be included in the rent.

"Everything is going pretty smooth so far," Mulligan said.

Hawthorn Retirement Group owns and operates retirement communities throughout the United States and Canada. In North Carolina, the group recently opened Oak Park Retirement in Salisbury.

Those wanting more information on the new retirement living complex can call (866) 893-2111 toll-free.

Contact Tom Embrey by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com.