By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
An empty nursing home facility in Bowling Green is being transformed into a place where people with developmental disabilities and the community can come together.
The facility at 850 W. Poe Road – which was formerly Blakely Care Center and prior to that was Community Nursing Home – has been purchased by Wood Lane Residential Services for $500,000.
Plans are still being formalized for the 33,000-square-foot building with an indoor therapy pool. But the possibilities that the facility provides are thrilling, according to Jessica Miller-Blakely, chief executive officer of WLRS.
The location has a special significance for Miller-Blakely, who was formerly the administrator at the Blakely Care Center before it was sold to HCF Management in 2013 and she moved to Wood Lane Residential Services.
“Someone in passing said, ‘You should buy the building,’” – and a light bulb went on.
Miller-Blakely realized that the facility, located just to the east of the Wood County Fairgrounds, had great potential for Wood Lane Residential Services, which provides adult day services, employment services, residential services, and non-medical transportation services.
“That would make an amazing site for additional day programming and employment,” she said.
WLRS already owns 35 different residential properties throughout Wood County. The property on West Poe will not be used as a residential setting, Miller-Blakely said.
One goal of WLRS, which is a non-profit agency that is independent from the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities, is community integration for the 240 people served.
“How do we help people grow more independence and learn different life skills,” Miller-Blakely said.
Though plans for much of the facility are still fluid, Miller-Blakely said one definite goal is to create an “event center” where WLRS consumers and the community can work and play together.
The site could offer space for Positive Community Connections, where local businesses work on training programs, and life skills could be learned by those with developmental disabilities.
“We want people to have something meaningful to do during the day,” she said. “It’s very important for us to incorporate the community in that.”
The programs will adapt to varied physical and developmental needs.
“It’s not a one-size-fits-all” model, she said.
The former nursing home has a large kitchen, where Miller-Blakely envisions people working on a variety of skills – and where the community can gather for events like luncheons, baby showers or weddings.
“Bowling Green is so embracing,” she said. “They look at abilities – not disabilities.”
Miller-Blakely is hopeful that members of the community will volunteer at the location – teaching everything from cooking to enjoying art and music.
“Are there people who want to volunteer to teach a skill? It’s so fulfilling,” she said. “Where else can you go where your day is watching people grow? You make a difference at the end of the day.”
Miller-Blakely learned how fulfilling the work could be from her father, David C. Miller, who was involved with Wood Lane services for more than 30 years – many on the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
“It’s about wanting to make a difference in people’s lives and help them make a difference in their own,” she said. “It was a passion he had that has now become mine.”
There is no timeline for the building renovations, which are likely to be done in stages, Miller-Blakely said. She is hoping within two months that parts of the facility can be in use.
“COVID has humbled us all. You have to have patience with some things,” she said.
