ECO Center Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting
On August 4, the East Central Ohio (ECO) Center celebrated the grand opening of the facility with a ribbon cutting and open house. Since the opening, the ECO Center has hosted several events.
The program began with Emcee Sarah Gardner, a student at Indian Valley High School, welcoming the distinguished guests and the audience to the event. Delaney Steadman, a student at Union Local High School, sang the National Anthem.
“Today is about celebrating how this facility represents the promise to our children and families that education, health, and community moments belong together under one roof,” said Randy Lucas, Superintendent of the ECO Educational Service Center.
Lucas thanked Governor Dewine, who previously visited the site to announce the grant award through the Appalachian Community Grant program. Lucas also thanked the Ohio General Assembly for investing $500 million across the Ohio Appalachian region.
Lucas read an official commendation from Ohio Senate members of the 136th General Assembly of Ohio. The commendation read in part:
“Established through a partnership between the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center and the Ohio Hills Health Centers, the ECO Center will provide comprehensive healthcare services to the East Central Ohio region. In addition to bringing a host of other improvements to the institution, its grand opening has been widely anticipated by the community.
Access to healthcare services is crucial to our state’s continued welfare and to the year’s to come.”
“Our goal in creating the ECO Center is to directly benefit our member school districts, career centers, County Board of Developmental Disabilities, our education partners and their students,” Lucas said. He continued to share the current partnerships harbored within the facility:
- St Clairsville City Schools — Uses educational and athletic spaces.
- Ohio Hills Health Centers — Provides onsite primary care physicians and dental care.
- Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC) — Utilizes space for executive offices and events.
- ECO Cafe — Serves Starbucks coffee.
- Hall of Fame Cafe West — Offers catering and dining options for visitors and events.
- Edwards Absolute Kinetics — Offers physical therapy and wellness services to the community.
Other speakers included Chief Executive Officer of Ohio Hills Health Centers Jeff Britton, Director of the Department of Development Lydia Mihalik, Associate Vice President of School Health Services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Mary Kay Irwin, and Senior Advisor of the Appalachia Children Coalition Randy Leite.
Executive Director of the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce Lisa Kindler and President of the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center Governing Board Ron Busby joined the speakers for the ribbon cutting.
“I want to thank Randy Lucas and Matt King for inviting Ohio Hills Health Centers into the conversation and for having the vision and the insight to what could be achieved when we all moved together.” — Jeff Britton
“We know that when health care is nearby, students spend more time in the classroom, parents spent less time away from work, and families are more likely to receive preventive care before those little issues become really big problems. And it’s better for families, it’s better for schools, and it’s better for the long-term health of the overall community.” –– Lydia Mihalik
“This project is the only school linked model funded by the Appalachian Children Coalition initiative where students from multiple school districts will be transported to the ECO Center to receive the care that they need.” — Mary Kay Irwin
“I think this project is an example of what can happen when those in government step up and do something for the good of the people they serve.” — Randy Leite
“These organizations came together, they have gone outside the box, and they came up with a new vision for this facility. Each one of them has contributed time, talent, and persistence.” — Randy Leite
Beyond the grand re-opening, the ECO Center has served as the host site for WTOV9’s Kids and Family Fun Fest. Nearly 85 Ohio University Eastern freshmen took orientation tours led by Facilities Manager Mark Cook and sampled from the ECO Cafe.
Visit the ECO Center website to learn more about the facility, to book a space, or to contact them.
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