SIDNEY — Dorothy Love Retirement Community broke ground June 7 for the Sargeant Family Center for Aquatic Therapy and Rehab, the newest building on its expansive campus.
Generous donors surpassed the target goal of $1.4 million, raising more than $1.5 million for the project.
Long time Dorothy Love supporters Robert and John Sargeant, honorary campaign chairs, were guests of honor at the ceremony. Because of the brothers’ leadership and personal generosity, the new pool and rehab center bearing their name will soon be serving Miami Valley-area patients who otherwise might have had to travel a great distance to get this level of help.
Speaking at the ceremony was leadership chairman was Ray Koenig, whose personal gift and leadership motivated the fundraising as well. His high regard for Dorothy Love traces back to the care his late wife received. His leadership of the volunteer team and work with donors was key to the campaign’s success.
Members of the campaign leadership committee honored at the groundbreaking were Richard Adams, Michael Barhorst, Evelyn Bensman, and Scott Hinsch Jr.
“At Dorothy Love, we have been evolving and changing for over 94 years and this is just another example of how we will be changing to meet the needs of our community,” said Tricia Atwood, Dorothy Love’s executive director.
This project will double the therapy gym space and add a pool for advanced aquatic therapy and locker rooms.
The star of the new center will be the HydroWorx 2000 warm water therapy pool.
The pool floor doubles as an 9-foot by 12-foot, variable speed, underwater treadmill, which is also fully adjustable in height. It lifts up to ground level so patients can safely enter the water without ladders or steps. Users walk or are wheeled onto the floor and lowered into the water depth up to six feet. Underwater cameras and viewing monitors will record movement to help a therapist adjust treatment and to track outcomes to send to a client’s physician.
“Our lead donors for the project are so generous because of the care and services our staff provides every day to residents and families. People were willing to give to this campaign because they are grateful for the care that they or family member have received at Dorothy Love,” Atwood said. “This expansion is not about bricks and mortar, but an expansion of Dorothy Love’s mission of service.”
The center will be open to serve any adult in the Sidney/Shelby County area needing outpatient therapy.
“Today marks a turning point in Dorothy Love’s history, one that enables us to increase our good work for more people in the Sidney and Shelby County area,” Atwood said.
Plans call for completion of the building in October.
