Meadow Lake Gears Up for Grand Opening

TYLER – Meadow Lake, which spokespeople term a full-service senior living community for people ages 55 plus in Tyler, will celebrate its Grand Opening in early January with two celebrations. Both are to be held on the campus, located off County Road 165 near its intersection with Old Jacksonville Highway. On Friday, January 7, dignitaries are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12:00 noon at the community entrance. Immediately following the ceremony, a celebratory luncheon prepared by special guest Master Chef Sterling Burpee will be served in the Meadow Lake Center’s Azalea Dining Room. The community’s public event, an Open House, will be held on Sunday, January 9, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., with group tours of the campus available

Robin Baschnagel is the community’s executive director and licensed healthcare administrator. According to Baschnagel, “As Tyler’s first continuing care retirement community, or CCRC, we offer choices of residential living, including single-family homes and apartments, plus assisted living, nursing care and a full range of health, wellness and supportive services on one campus,” he explained. “The people who live here will enjoy an active lifestyle and gain peace of mind knowing that their future health care needs will be met without having to relocate.” The first Meadow Lake residents moved into the single-family Executive Homes in August, and approximately 80 percent of the community’s homes and apartments have been reserved. When fully occupied, the 92-acre campus will be home to 250 to 300 residents.

The community is backed by the not-for-profit Sears Methodist Retirement System, Inc. System CEO Keith Perry says Meadow Lake has had a positive impact on Tyler’s economy and will continue supporting the community at large. “At the peak of building, more than 300 construction jobs were filled locally, and the community will hire approximately 120 full-time employees with benefits. The greater community will also benefit from Meadow Lake’s Senior Health Clinic, which will be available to the public, as well as the Chamness Lodge, a beautiful meeting space on campus that will be open for local churches and organizations to use.”

Tom Mullins, president of both Tyler’s Chamber of Commerce and its Economic Development Council, says, “Having a high quality senior living option like Meadow Lake will help us continue to attract new people to our area and also encourage long-time residents to remain here during retirement.”