On Sunday, April 27, 2014, Springfield Masonic Community hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate its upcoming multi-phase construction and renovation plans. Many Masonic dignitaries were in attendance, including the Most Worshipful Grand Master Norman J. Mick, Right Worshipful Brother Robert Coster, Grand Line Chaplain, and Most Worshipful Brother Terry Posey, Ohio Masonic Home (OMH) Board Chairman. Springfield City Commissioner Joyce Chilton also made an appearance to deliver a special proclamation on behalf of Mayor Warren Copeland.
This groundbreaking marked the beginning of the first phase of construction. Scheduled to take place from mid-June 2014 to summer 2015, this project is budgeted at approximately $15 million. The new building will hold 65 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments as well as an on-site physician’s clinic within 80,000 square feet. These new apartments will be completely modernized and will offer state-of-the-art comfort in a new wellness-based environment. Residents are projected to begin moving in late summer 2015.
Additionally, the Hillman Building will undergo extensive renovations. The current Scottish Rite and Eastern Star wings of the Rickly Building will be razed to accommodate these improvements to campus.
In collaboration with Corna Kokosing construction company of Westerville, Ohio, architect David Cooke of the Columbus-based Design Collective has paid special attention to creating plans for a new building that will prove to be what the current and future senior care and housing markets are demanding.
In a show of support and generosity, the AASR, Valley of Dayton presented an unexpected gift of $25,000 during the ceremony to the Ohio Masonic Home Foundation to aid in landscaping the new building.
We were blessed with beautiful weather for the groundbreaking ceremony. A large crowd turned out to witness this historic event, including many Springfield Masonic Community residents and staff members. We hope we will continue to be blessed through all phases of this endeavor.
