By Janine DavisRecord Staff WriterResidents of a Warrenton retirement center heard from the facility’s new owners and operators about positive changes and enhancements planned for the community.The presentation was made by executives with St. Louis-based ClearPath Senior Holdings, the new owner of Whispering Pines, and by the retirement center’s new operators, Provision Living, also based in St. Louis.According to Dave Baylis, vice president of operations for Provision Living, improvements are intended to draw residents out of their rooms for more interaction with their neighbors and staff, and for greater enjoyment all around.Currently there are 40 residents at the center, which has the capacity for 56 seniors.Among the improvements planned by the new owners and operators is the refurbishing of the center’s activities rooms, new furniture in common areas, a new back patio area, cleanup of the property’s lake and new pavement for the parking lot. They also plan to have a wheelchair-accessible bus that will regularly take residents shopping and to other area activities. The current bus is out of service, so transportation via OATS has been necessary.Baylis told residents and family members during Monday’s forum that company representatives will have a regular presence at Whispering Pines and will be actively seeking resident input on things they would like to see done differently.“We want to hear from you,” said Baylis.During a lively question-and-answer period, family members and residents asked about additional menu choices, outdoor accessibility, and the likelihood of monthly rate increases. Attendees consistently praised the quality of staff members.Vice President of Operations for Provision Living Tami Cumings said the new team’s emphasis will be on quality to enhance Whispering Pines’ reputation in the community. She said the team is putting together a comprehensive plan of improvements that will be presented after the holidays.There are no immediate plans for rate increases, Cumings said.Cumings said she will work “hand-in-hand” with Whispering Pines Director LaFonda Johnson and Johnson’s staff in implementing changes and in the monitoring of care for residents.Jeff Binder, a co-founding principal with ClearPath, said the new team has a deep commitment to the needs of the Whispering Pines community.“We plan on being here for a long time,” said Binder.Owners Promise Upgrades to Whispering Pines