Press Releases

Elim Park Breaks Ground for New Wellness Center and Bethel Place

Cheshire, CT. (March 27, 2007) - Last Saturday’s bright sunshine and mild temperature harkened the approaching spring and a season of growth and provided the perfect backdrop as officials from Elim Park broke ground on a major construction project which will add a state-of-the-art Wellness Center and Bethel Place, a combination chapel and performing arts center, to the continuing care retirement community’s campus in Cheshire.

The $6.5 million construction project is one of the most significant developments in the 100 year old history of Elim Park. The Wellness Center will serve as a source for aquatic therapy and fitness for Elim Park residents and the approximately 450 patients per year who are served by Elim Park’s short-term rehabilitation program. The Center will consist of a warm water pool, fully-equipped exercise room and a large aerobics studio.

Bethel Place will be a multi-use center that can accommodate up to 350 attendees for spiritual and performing arts programs. The center will be a unique-size venue in the Cheshire area, and will accommodate community events, including performing arts, touring cultural productions and guest speakers.

“This is truly a monumental day in the long history of Elim Park,” declared Ron Dischinger, president and CEO of Elim Park, to a crowd of 250 in attendance. “We are truly grateful to everyone who helped make today a reality and particularly to our signature donors for their commitment to the success of this project.”

Speakers at the groundbreaking also included Ray Adams, chair of Elim Park’s Board of Directors; John Rude, a nationally-known senior wellness consultant; Reverend David DeVries, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Fairfield CT; Cheshire Mayor Matt Hall and Bill Meyerjack, a Cheshire certified public accountant and chair for the Celebrate Life! Campaign. Entertainment was provided by pianist Paul Bisaccia.

“The current wellness program at Elim Park is a robust program focused on mind, body and spirit, and it is producing measurable improvements for residents,” said Mr. Rude, president of Age Dynamics in Eugene, Oregon. “This new Wellness Center will make Elim Park a leader in shifting the goal from caring for older people to empowering them. It will help to change the way we look at aging.”

The Celebrate Life! Campaign is a $6.5 million capital campaign to support the construction of the Wellness Center and Bethel Place. According to Mr. Meyerjack, $4.5 million has already been pledged to the campaign, the largest in Elim Park’s history.

“This is a very rewarding day, and we’ve accomplished much in the nine months since we started the campaign,” explained Mr. Meyerjack. “The Wellness Center and Bethel Place will be jewels in the community and provide options for our older citizens that weren’t available locally before.”

FIP Construction, Inc., of Cheshire, CT, will be the construction manager for the project. Plans call for the construction project to be completed by spring 2008.