01 OC Mag 01-24

Thirty-six-condo complex
Kanaal Huis introduces a
unique concept for 55-plus
living in Orange City.
The Canals’ pioneers, Bruce said they
have had no regrets.
“No lawn mowing, dealing with
leaves in the fall, snow shoveling and
my favorite, no more cleaning out
the gutters,” Bruce said. “We plan on
traveling more, and this living option
gives us the freedom to do that.
Kanaal Huis has so many amenities: a
well-equipped gym, a party room with
a kitchen for holiday gatherings — we
are looking forward to that — and
gathering places.”
One of the goals of Kanaal Huis was
to provide residents an opportunity to
build “vibrant lifestyles,” tagging Orange
City’s slogan.
Orange City Area Health System
CEO Marty Guthmiller said one vibrant
way of living is stepping into
The Canals community. However, that
community is going to look different
from other senior homes.
“We’re not forcing community on
anybody,” Guthmiller said. “An owner
at Kanaal Huis would not be forced to
do anything. It’s not like activity in a
nursing home, for example, or anything
like that.”
The goal for Kanaal Huis is it will be
resident led. There are currently only
two condos accounted for, but once
that number grows, Guthmiller said
there will be an internal committee
that determines the rules and activities
for Kanaal Huis.
“Ultimately, we want them to take
control and make their own rules out
there. It’s their place,” he said. “We’re
there to help and guide as we need to,
but we don’t want to be in a director
kind of role.”
One of the ideas a resident has already
proposed is to have an aboveground
garden. Guthmiller’s response:
“Let’s do it.”
Being affiliated with the Orange City
FOR MORE
INFORMATION
To learn more about
Kanaal Huis, inquirers
may reach out to Ryan
Warnke, director of
ancillary services for
Orange City Area Health
System, at Ryan.Warnke@
ochealthsystem.org or
Marty Guthmiller, Orange
City Area Health System
CEO, at Marty.Guthmiller@
ochealthsystem.org.
30 OC MAGAZINE | SPRING 2024