From: Greg Harter
Columbus
I am writing this letter to clarify (to some extent) what is going to happen with the Mill Race Senior Center.
My wife Marilyn and I belonged to Mill Race when it opened, enjoying exercise classes, physical fitness in the equipment room, bridge, lectures/classes, and physical therapy (when we needed it).
Then COVID-19 happened. Many members, including us, ceased membership at Mill Race. We are now considering rejoining, but have several questions about changes being made and/or being considered.
With the eventual opening of NexusPark and its association with Columbus Regional Hospital (CRH), many questions have been asked about Mill Race Senior Center — what is staying, what is not, etc. Communications with the public have been less than thorough or continuous.
After speaking with David Lenart, vice president, strategic facility planning and operations at CRH (who has reviewed this letter for accuracy), here is what is known:
CRH will transition some services to NexusPark in January 2024. Physical therapy (through CRH) will no longer be offered at Mill Race. Physical therapy will be offered through CRH at NexusPark. There is a location for physical therapy on the west side, which offers services through CRH. Furthermore, the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department will operate a fitness center with CRH providing some complimentary wellness programs.
The wellness gym at Mill Race is operated by CRH personnel; the program and equipment is owned by the Mill Race Center. CRH is looking to partner with the City Parks and Recreation Department to be part of the wellness program. Both parties hope to reach a business decision by the end of Summer 2023. It does not appear that the wellness gym at Mill Race will be part of that plan. The city and CRH have spoken with Mill Race’s director and board about NexusPark and Mill Race. It is still being determined in business planning regarding continued wellness programs at Mill Race. What Mill Race will do with the program — and equipment — is unknown at this time. It is also not known at this time if CRH personnel will be involved in operating a wellness gym at Mill Race.
NexusPark is a joint effort between CRH and the City of Columbus to provide health, wellness, and recreation activities for Columbus and its surroundings. Some medical services will also be offered at NexusPark.
We are senior citizens and we live on Columbus’ west side. Mill Race was, and is, conveniently located near the west side. The city, CRH and Mill Race need to continue further discussions around services that may be available at Mill Race.
I expect, at a minimum, for all three parties (CRH, city, and Mill Race) to clarify future plans by the end of this summer.
