It’s not everyday you hear about a retirement center throwing a tailgate party, but Green Hills is not your average retirement center.

The tailgate was held Saturday at the center in conjunction with a ground-breaking ceremony for 24 new townhomes.

The center is owned by the University Retirement Corporation, a subsidiary of the ISU Foundation. It is managed by Life Services Corporation of Des Moines, but it maintains strong ties with ISU.

“In fact, approximately 85 percent of our residents are ISU alumni or retired faculty and staff,” said Elin Hernnan, Green Hills marketing director.

“This is a project in which lots of people have ownership and pride. It has become yet another one of the remarkable accomplishments of Iowa State,” added ISU President Martin Jischke.

Ames Mayor Larry Curtis was also on hand.

Curtis told the group the expansion of a facility such as this tells him people have confidence and believe in the city of Ames.

“I can’t see anything that I’d rather have happen, as a mayor, than to see such a thing take place in terms impacting the community on a long-term basis,” Curtis said.

According to Hernnan, the center is somewhat unique because it is an equity-owned community. Residents actually own their homes and live independently with limited assistance provided by the center.

Along with 40 town homes, the community also operates 59 apartments and a 40-bed health care center.

The center has been featured in Newsweek magazine because of its equity-owned status. “CBS This Morning” also came to Green Hills to film a segment about retirement communities affiliated with universities.