Laurel Lake Retirement Community marks 20th Anniversary
200 Laurel Lake Drive / Hudson, Ohio 44236 / (330) 650-2100 / www.laurellake.org
Laurel Lake Retirement Community marks 20th Anniversary
January 11, 2009 -- It was 20 years ago that the first resident moved into Laurel Lake Retirement Community. Harry Rider, a retired engineer who invented the fire detection and sprinkler systems still used in most public buildings today, took a chance that the fledgling community would fulfill its promise to become a premier senior living campus, one that embodies the very best of retirement living.
That was 1989. Today, Laurel Lake is a well respected and thriving "village" of nearly 500 adults – age 62 and over – enjoying active lives and each other. The original handful of employees has also grown to 350 full and part-time staff, making Laurel Lake one of Summit County's largest employers.
A Historical View
Laurel Lake began as the dream of Cleveland businessman Richard Eastburn, who wanted to bring to northeast Ohio the same quality of life his parents enjoyed in a Philadelphia life care community. In the early 1980s, a team of professionals headed by Eastburn selected the scenic 150-acre property on Boston Mills Road in Hudson as the ideal site, and began working closely with state and local officials to develop the project.
On May 9, 1985, Laurel Lake was incorporated as a 501c(3) not-for-profit corporation to provide independent living apartments and villas, assisted living, skilled nursing, and a wide array of amenities and support services for seniors within a unique "connected campus" design.
Construction of the $50 million community began on April 30, 1987 and lasted two years. The first resident arrived on January 11, 1989.
Laurel Lake grew steadily and began to develop a waiting list. In these early years, Laurel Lake was managed first by Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services (OPRS), and then by Humility of Mary Health Care System (HMHCS), which converted to full sponsorship of Laurel Lake in 1994.
In 1997, the Sisters of the Humility of Mary became co-sponsors of Catholic Healthcare Partners (CHP), making Laurel Lake a part of the largest nonprofit health system in Ohio. That same year, Laurel Lake achieved national accreditation through the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC), establishing Laurel Lake among the top retirement communities in America.
Laurel Lake Grows
With Laurel Lake prospering and its reputation for excellence spreading, its leadership looked for ways to continuously improve the housing options, services and amenities offered to residents.
In 2001, Laurel Lake unveiled a $17.7 million campus expansion plan to build additional neighborhoods, while retaining at least 70 acres as protected natural environment. The expansion, including a new assisted living building, Greenwood, a memory care center, Rosewood, 15 luxurious Vista apartments and a cul-de-sac of 8 larger villas, opened in October 2004. A new worship center, Serenity Chapel, followed one year later.
A Very Good Neighbor
"Laurel Lake has been part of Northeast Ohio for just two decades, but its impact has been positive and widespread, affecting people of all ages," said David Oster, Executive Director of the senior living campus.
Since it first opened, Laurel Lake has:
· Donated millions in sponsorships, goods and services to Cleveland and Akron area nonprofits, benefiting people of all ages and income levels.
· Stimulated the local real estate market, generating $21 million in real estate transactions in the last three years alone as residents sold homes in preparation for moving in.
· Brought new residents to the city of Hudson and the state of Ohio, with 25% relocating from 26 other states to move closer to family and friends.
· Provided full and part-time jobs with benefits for 350 people, including students working part-time in Laurel Lake’s on-site restaurants where they can earn college scholarships.
· Raised an army of volunteers to work for important causes. Last year alone, 211 volunteers logged a total of 528 work weeks.
· Offered a gathering place for dozens of community groups to mix and mingle.
· Served as a giant classroom for hundreds of students, interns and healthcare professionals from Kent State, The University of Akron, NEOUCOM and other centers of learning, and participated in studies on senior health and wellness.
"It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come in twenty years," Oster said. "The biggest impact has been on the lives of all the people who have made Laurel Lake their home, and on their families. Laurel Lake residents have built the genuine sense of community you feel here."
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Laurel Lake Retirement Community
is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community offering multiple home styles set within 150 acres of natural beauty in Hudson. Laurel Lake is part of the Catholic Healthcare Partners family of senior living communities and healthcare facilities. For information, visit www.laurellake.org or call 1-866-650-2100.