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Land Purchased
On February 25, 1995 Methodist Retirement Center of Central Ohio, Inc. purchased a 16 acre property in Reynoldsburg that was once a part of the Stoney Creek Country Club. Wesley Ridge was the name chosen for the site. "Wesley" comes from John Wesley who, with his brother Charles, founded the Methodist Church. "Ridge" refers to a dominant feature of the site- a north/south topographical formation which slopes gently to the east and steeple to the west, down into the Blacklick Creek ravine.
Planning Sessions held
Following the purchase of the property, meetings and informal sessions brought together city leaders and potential clients to hear what Methodist Retirement Center had in mind and to provide the organization with feed back about what kind of services east Columbus was interested in. "This is the beginning of our process," commented CEO Rob Rouse. "We believe there is an interest in some of the services we offer through a facility like Wesley Glen. We're just not sure which ones, how soon those services are needed and in what capacity."
Life Center Adult Day Services
In October of 1995, Life Center formally affiliated with Methodist Retirement Center and began providing adult day services, in March of 1996, in the existing clubhouse on the Wesley Ridge site. Life Center previously operated programs in Reynoldsburg and Pickerington churches. This new location gave Life Center the opportunity to serve twice as many people, in one specifically designed facility.
Groundbreaking and Construction
Groundbreaking for the Development of Wesley Ridge and Assisted Living and Special Care was held on April 6, 1997. Construction continued throughout the year and residents began moving into the Special Care building in May of 1998 and Bishop Place Assisted Living building opened in June of 1998. A Service of Consecration for both buildings was held on October 4, 1998.
Independent Living Ridge Homes
With the Assisted Living and Special Care components occupied, the focus in 1999 turned to Independent Living. Plans were drawn and construction began in the summer of 2000 on sixteen one and two-bedroom condominium homes. These "ridge" homes were constructed with views of Blacklick MetroPark.
Parkside
The planning for independent living apartments was announced in the Summer of 2002. The 6-story facility gave seniors another lifestyle choice on the east side of Columbus. Construction began in the fall of 2004 and the first residents began moving into the tallest building in Reynoldsburg in December of 2005. An official grand opening was held on April 30, 2006.
Life Center expands to community locations
Life Center Adult Day Services expanded into three community locations: New Albany United Methodist Church, Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church and Peace United Methodist Church in Pickerington in the summer of 2004. The former clubhouse that had housed Life Center for eight years needed to be demolished to make way for the new Parkside building. Adult Day Services was also continued at the Wesley Ridge location in the Special Care building.
In 2007 Life Center offers adult day services in Special Care at Wesley Ridge Retirement Community, and at Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church and Peace United Methodist Church in Pickerington.
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