Ribbon cutting at the Meadows of Worthington signifies completion

• Ribbon cutting

Justine Wettschreck/Daily Globe Surrounded by Ecumen corporate officials and members of the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce, the Meadows Director of Marketing Pat Henderschiedt wields the big scissors during a ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday to commemorate the opening of the 42 unit addition to the senior living facility.

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WORTHINGTON — It may have seemed like the construction to add 42 units to the Meadows of Worthington went on and on, but in reality it was finished ahead of schedule and approximately $300,000 under budget, according to Steve Ordahl.

Ordahl is the senior vice president of business development for Ecumen, which operates a variety of senior housing options and services. The company purchased the Meadows in December 2003.

“We were blown away by the magnificence of the property,” he stated Saturday during the Meadow’s open house and ribbon cutting ceremony.

The forward thinking citizens of Worthington who built the living community, Ordahl stated, had planned ahead for future growth.

“And here we are, a few short years later, celebrating the expansion,” he added.

With the addition of 42 units, the Meadows is the largest stand-alone housing facility owned by Ecumen, Ordahl explained.

“And this is my favorite Ecumen holding,” he admitted with a smile. “We love Worthington.”

Meadows Director of Marketing Pat Henderschiedt opened up the day’s events Saturday afternoon by welcoming the group that had gathered. Clients, members of the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce, city officials and citizens gathered to visit, tour the new facilities and applaud the completion of the project.

“There were quite a number of trials and tribulations, but we still got here,” Henderschiedt stated.

She spoke of how construction had been halted last year because of heavy rains, joking about how the landscaping was supposed to be finished before the open house event but the rains had returned.

Ordahl also mentioned the rains, commenting that at one point last year everyone believed they would need to build an ark.

“But eventually the skies cleared and we finished three months ahead of schedule and more than $300,000 under budget,” he stated. “How often does that happen?”

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