CHILDREN'S REHAB Center project is complete

About $1.2 million of the $1.85 million cost of the project has been collected.
HOWLAND -- Completion of the Children's Rehabilitation Center's $1.85 million expansion and renovation project was celebrated today with a noon ribbon-cutting by two clients, Austin McQuaig and Zoe Berk.
The project, which began in summer 2003, includes renovation of the 14,700-square-foot facility, a 6,600-square-foot addition on its west side and a 6,300-square-foot addition on the east side of the facility at 885 Howland-Wilson Road, for a total of 27,600 square feet.
The west addition was completed earlier this year and has been in use since January. It includes multipurpose and service areas, two classrooms and a community meeting room that will be used by various organizations, such as the Warren Junior Women's League, for meetings and events, said Dominic Mancini, CRC business manager.
Renovations
Internal renovations to the facility provided additional space for occupational and physical therapy. The former multipurpose room was made into the occupational therapy area, and all classrooms were renovated, Mancini said.
"One of the most exciting features of the east wing is a library for the children," said Bob Foster, CRC executive director.
The east wing also has a lobby and receptionist area, conference/parent meeting room and offices for support staff. There is also a "wall of appreciation," where donors are recognized and major contributors are recognized individually throughout the center, Foster said.
About $1.2 million of the $1.85 million needed for the project has already been collected from pledges made by 250 individuals, organizations, foundations and civic clubs as a result of a capital campaign that began in 2002, Mancini said.
Steven Lewis, president and chief executive officer of First Place Bank, and his wife, Jill, were co-chairmen of the capital campaign.
With pledges committed through December 2007, the capital campaign is still in need of $59,000, Mancini said.
However, said William Flevares, CRC board president, "for a project of this magnitude, we are very happy with where we are today. The community has come through."
Sending donations
Those wishing to participate in the project can make contributions to Children's Rehabilitation Center, in care of the CRC Expansion Project, 885 Howland-Wilson Rd N.E., Warren, Ohio 44484, Flevares said.
Foster said that "many hard-working people and organizations can be proud of this project. Above all else, our community has sent a new message of hope and compassion for children with a disability and their and families."
Jack Gibson Construction Co. was construction manager, and the architects are Baker, Bednar & amp; Associates.
In addition to various therapies, CRC offers medical consultations, learning and rehabilitation for children with autism, individual and family counseling, and the Kids' Garden integrated day care. Last year, about 600 children were treated at the center, Foster said.