TROY TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Ashland County has a new retreat center, complete with an indoor pool, sports den and bar, fitness center, pond and walking trails through the wooded lot.
The house along State Route 511 in Troy Township, just south of the village of Nova, will now be known as Highland Retreat Center.
It used to belong to Rob Robertson, a Troy Township zoning commissioner who ran a software company from his basement, said the property’s new owner, Patty Thompson Cavins.
“But I call myself the founder, you’ll never hear me say ‘owner’ out of my mouth — it’s meant to be a blessing to people,” Thompson Cavins said.
Thompson, previously of Bowling Green, first walked through the house with six bedrooms and five bathrooms in June. It was listed in January 2021 for $1.5 million.
“We closed in November and we’ve been working to convert it to be ready until now,” Thompson Cavins said. “I love every square inch of it.”
The house is 8,000 square-feet and situated on a 47-acre lot. It is divided into two sections — the first was built in 2001.
The basement features a large area for business retreat gatherings and a bedroom. The main level features vaulted ceilings, an office, a full kitchen and dining area and a large connected living area.
Thompson converted the house’s first, original garage into a “sports den.” The den features an air hockey table, a pool table, a dart board and an 86-inch television behind a standalone bar.
“That was the biggest project,” she said.
The house’s second section was built in 2005. It’s connected by an aquarium-themed breezeway, which leads into a heated, indoor swimming pool — its walls lined with aromatic cedar.
The indoor swimming pool area also features a hot tub, shower area and laundry room. Connected is another full-sized kitchen that leads into a living area that could serve as an additional sleeping area.
Upstairs are three more sleeping areas. In all, the house has the capacity to sleep 35, Thompson Cavins said.
The second section also features a fitness center in its two-car garage. Its basement has a gaming room, closed off by a vaulted door and complete with four screens and plenty of leather couches that double as futons.
“There are eight of those futons around the house,” Thompson Cavins said.
Thompson recently sold her house in Bowling Green. She’s now living with her sister in Akron and is looking for a place to reside in Ashland County.
She works as executive director of Higher Ground Advantage, a business consulting firm that offers training and development to businesses and individuals.
Thompson Cavins also works as executive director of Maxwell Leadership, a foundation under John C. Maxwell that trains people to be better leaders.
She hopes to someday run events out of the business center in the house’s original basement.
Although she could live at the house, she said “it’s not meant for living.” Instead, she hopes the facility will be “a blessing.”
“It’s meant to be a complete rental facility for family reunions, family vacations, businesses — businesses can just come in and use the meeting space downstairs. Or small destination weddings — it’s just meant to be utilized,” she said.
Leaders from the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Ashland government joined Thompson Cavins on Tuesday for the house’s ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller said he met Thompson Cavins last summer as she discussed her plans with city and county leaders.
“I’ll admit, I don’t even know that I would imagine you would be here. And yet, evidently, someone had a big plan,” Miller said, looking toward the heavens.
He congratulated her and offered up a prayer for her and the property.
Highland Acres Retreat Center is listed as a short-term rental through VRBO at $1,297 per night. She said she’s working on getting it listed on AirBnb.
She’s also launched a capital campaign to help finish some projects around the house — a new bathroom, patching the driveway and laying concrete for a driveway.
Businesses and individuals can join the campaign as sponsors. The perks include services and programs from Thompson’s consulting firm, she said.
To learn more, call her at 419-575-2669.
