PETOSKEY, MI -- A four-year effort to open a new assisted living facility in Petoskey is complete and residents have started to move in.

The Mallard Cove Assisted Living facility opened this week and Rita Schuyler is the first resident.

The owners of the new facility say they're bringing a new personal approach to the seniors who move in.

Each room has a bed and a personal bathroom.  Inside Mallard Cove, residents will have open-access to the 13,000 square foot facility and can socialize through newer technology like the Nintendo Wii.  They've also hired an executive chef to make all of the meals and eight staff members to offer personal care.

"If you don't have the heart for this kind of work, you have to!" said Holly Beaudin, who along with her husband Al own Mallard Cove.

"When I designed the building, I tried to make it feel as much like a home as I possibly could," said Al.

"They have a lot of heart, and love, and making sure that the transition for people that come is as easy as possible and I felt totally comfortable letting them take care of her," said Ronda Franchino, the daughter of Rita.

Al and Holly Beaudin decided to open the assisted living facility after taking care of Al's father for several years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.  Al, formerly in construction, and Holly, who has worked in the medical profession, went back to school and received their nurses assistant degrees.

The 20-unit facility currently has 10 people lined up, and if you're interested in touring it, or for more information, you can call (231)347-2273 or visit the MALLARD COVE website.