News roundup for March 17, 2021

Yacht club to offer public programs A new lease agreement gives the Chippewa Yacht Club a long-term home on the shores of Chippewa Lake and provides future watercraft education opportunities for Medina County Park District visitors. The organization has been a fixture at Chippewa Lake since the sailing club's founding in 1939. Its clubhouse and lakefront were part of Medina County Park District's purchase of the former Chippewa Lake Amusement Park landholdings in 2020. The yacht club had been on a year-to-year contract with the previous property owners. For the park district, the 20-year agreement is a way to give the club the long-term security it needs to make improvements to its clubhouse and 3 acres of grounds. The lease was approved in February by Medina County Common Pleas Court Probate Judge Kevin W. Dunn. "Chippewa Yacht Club's presence at Chippewa Lake is important," park district Director Nathan Eppink said in a statement. "The club is a valued partner and has a decadeslong connection to this community. Like Medina County Park District, Chippewa Yacht Club and its members want to invest in Chippewa Lake." The club hosts competitive and recreational sailing events for members from April through October. The club remains private, but as part of the lease agreement it will coordinate with the park district's Interpretive Services Department to offer public programs. "The Chippewa Yacht Club is very excited to be offering a boaters education program this summer in concert with the Medina County Park District," said Doug Hurst, commodore and chief executive officer of the Chippewa Yacht Club. "Initially, the program will be geared toward middle-school-aged youth. The kids will have the opportunity to complete the Ohio Boaters Education Course and take the helm of small power boats, kayaks, canoes and sailboats." Medina County Park District purchased Chippewa Lake in 2007 with a grant from Clean Ohio and is developing a master plan to transform the recently acquired 95-acre former amusement park property into a public park. Akron couple's gift pushes Summa fundraising campaign Summa Health announced Tuesday it has surpassed its initial goal of $75 million for its capital campaign and has increased the goal to $100 million. This comes with a lead gift from Akron philanthropists and community leaders George Strickler, chairman of the Summa Health Board of Directors, and his wife, Alice. The Stricklers made a gift of $1 million. The campaign has supported essential investments for the community: a new state-of-the-art patient tower on the Akron Campus offering new facilities for women's health, private inpatient rooms, modern nursing units and expanded surgical capabilities; significant renovations and improvements on the Barberton campus; increased outpatient capacity across the system; and the establishment of endowed clinical chairs, endowed symposia. The health institution now moves on to the second phase of its campaign with plans for a new, 60-bed behavioral health pavilion on the Akron campus, the transition of all services on the St. Thomas campus to the Akron campus, the renovation of units in the existing hospital on the Akron campus to modernize and achieve a higher percentage of private beds, the creation of additional ambulatory space throughout the community and other key projects. Akron reduces costs for students The University of Akron announced Tuesday it will not seek a tuition increase for the 2021-22 academic year and will take steps to reduce on-campus housing rates for all students by 30 percent. This would lower the cost for students living on campus by more than $2,500. When including the cost of tuition, fees, books and other personal expenses, the overall reduction in the cost of education for students residing on campus will be 9 percent. The university also is waiving its requirement this year that first-year students live on campus, although the reduction in room costs may allow more students to more comfortably explore residence hall options in the fall. The campus is home to nine residence halls, which range from single and double rooms to apartment living, and also offers themed communities for those in similar majors. "We value our students and realize that college affordability is something we must examine," University of Akron President Gary Miller said in a statement. "As our institution progresses, we must continue to honor our people, our place and our promises to those who call UA home. We think this is a step in the right direction." ORMACO offers Irish-themed program today The Ohio Regional Music Arts Cultural Outreach and the Medina County District Library will present Canton-based musician Patrick Masalko today at 6:30 p.m. as he takes listeners on a musical ride featuring traditional Irish folk music, as well as popular music by Irish native songwriters who have helped shape the world through song. From Dublin or Belfast, Masalko will represent Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in song. He has been involved in ORMACO outreach programs since its inception 11 years ago. To register for this event, go to mcdl.info or call (330) 725-0588. Home sales strong for March There were 67 residential home sales for the week of March 8-12, according to Medina County Auditor Mike Kovack. The average sale price was $210,324. The total fees collected for residential transfers was $42,365.90. There were three commercial sales this week with an average sale price of $1,410,833. The total fees collected for commercial transfers was $12,701. At this time in 2020, there were 70 residential home sales with an average sale price of $213,787. There were also five commercial sales this week in 2020. — from staff reports