Masonic Home's growth continues

By Jeff Gilbert
March 14, 2016

When Jason Zielinski came to work at the Springfield Masonic Community just a year and a half ago, the 124-year-old landmark didn’t look quite the way it looks now.

Since then construction has been completed on the 65-unit independent living Scottish Rite building. Another building, New York Rite, has been renovated for assisted living accommodations. An expanding print shop operation has a new home on campus. And a green area is being expanded and renovated.

“We’re just really, really happy about it right now,” said Zielinski, the corporate director of marketing and communications for the Ohio Masonic Home. “It’s nice to be able to build and expand, and to be able to do that is a sign of improvement and strong organization.”

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The Springfield Masonic Community is typically home to 400 to 420 residents. Their living arrangements range from skilled nursing care to assisted living to independent living.

Along with the changes and capital investments, the financial health of the multi-campus organization is better than it was five years ago, said Scott Buchanan, the chief financial officer.

“We’ve been chipping away over the last three years aggressively, and we’ll be in a position here in the next year or so to be in fine shape going forward,” said Buchanan, who has been with the Masonic Home for two years.

“It’s a lot of balance between the market and the operations. Two of our campuses have done very well and finished much better than they had the previous two years. And Springfield is improving as well. Overall, we’re doing very well. Millions and millions ahead of where we were even two years ago.”

Scottish Rite was the key part of a $15 million project, and is a part of a local trend as facilities get ready for future demand. The campus was already home to several one-level villas.

People began moving into Scottish Rite, the first fully independent building on the campus, at the end of November. It’s the first new building on the Springfield campus since 2000. Not all of the units have been claimed, so applications are still being accepted.

The apartments are state of the art with wireless technology throughout. They are also beta testing some technology designed to allow people to remain independent longer. That fits with the home’s mission of helping people age how the want and where they want.

“We want to be known as an aging services company, not your traditional nursing home kind of community,” Zielinski said.

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So as people in the independent quarters become less independent they will not be rushed into assisted care. The goal is to bring services to them for as long as possible. The 65 new apartments will allow the home to accomplish that mission more effectively.

“We’re going to try to keep them in place as long as we can,” Buchanan said. “And try to understand their needs now and be predictive about where things will end up instead of reactive.”

“We want to be known as an aging services company, not your traditional nursing home kind of community,” said Jason Zielinski. Photos by Bill Lackey/Staff

The New York Rite renovation was completed about the same time Scottish Rite opened its doors. People also began moving in to the building in late November.

The construction phase also meant two old buildings could come down. That created a parking area but also some space for a park-like area. It will be a place for entertainment and enjoying a nice day outside.

“It’s a really nice design and area for folks to hang out and do activities,” Buchanan said.

The shelter house is also being renovated into a year-round facility with a kitchen, fireplace, heat and air conditioning.

The home will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2017. It will kick it off with a Heritage Fest this October. The event, like everything at the home, is open to the public. They want to be sure people know the home and its services are not just for Masons.

“We’re going to try to let people know we’re not just that castle on the hill where the Masons live,” Zielinski said. “We’re nothing like that.”

Almost a year ago, home residents organized the first new Masonic lodge in Clark County in 93 years. The Morning Star Lodge meets on Tuesdays and many of the residents attend. It’s the first lodge in the history of the home.

“That speaks to the part of our mission that says how you want, where you want,” Zielinski said. “That’s a perfect example of that.”

The Springfield Masonic Community is also home to a print shop that Zielinski said is affordable and open to the public. It’s been around for several years, but recently moved into a renovated space. The shop prints literature and other items such as banners, awards and mugs for the Ohio Masonic Home and related organizations. Apparel will be added next.

“What started off as a cost avoidance has hopefully turned into a revenue-generating endeavor,” Buchanan said.

As the Masonic Home moves forward it is also making improvements elsewhere. The campus in the Toledo area will break ground in April on villas designed for independent living. And they see a need in Southeast Ohio, so sometime next year they plan to offer assisted living in the Marietta area.

“We want you to stay in your residence as long as you can,” Zielinski said. “And when the time finally comes that you decide you finally need to make a move, we’re right here.”

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