Construction on new health center in East Palestine under way

The nursing home’s owners are also co-owners of the Youngstown Thunder.

STAFF REPORT

EAST PALESTINE — After months of working out the details with city and school officials, owners of the new Covington Health Center initiated the construction project Wednesday morning with a groundbreaking ceremony at the site.

The center, which will be at 1700 Hunston Road, is expected to be completed within the next year.

Dr. Michael Slyk and Dr. Timothy Chesney own the facility, which will offer assisted living and skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.

City and school officials paved the way for the project by granting a full 15-year real estate tax abatement to the facility. Facility owners have been working with East Palestine City Manager Gary Clark to define the terms of the tax relief and the construction project.

Officials said one building, a 50-bed skilled nursing facility, will be filled with private rooms and feature private baths and showers, a spa, wireless Internet, flat-panel televisions in lounge areas and silent-call security.

They said a second building will include 19 apartments for senior citizens. Slyk and Chesney are also two of the three owners of the Youngstown Thunder, the af2 arena football team that plays its home games at the Chevrolet Centre in downtown Youngstown.