File Photo FORMER EMPLOYEES of East Ohio Regional Hospital, shown here, are invited to attend a reunion just for them set for 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Martins Ferry Rec Center gymnasium.

MARTINS FERRY — The Martins Ferry Recreation Center is set to host two upcoming events including one celebrating the former East Ohio Regional Hospital family.

On Oct. 7, a reunion of former East Ohio Regional Hospital workers will be held starting at 7 p.m. in the gym at the facility on Fourth Street, said Bobbi Howard, rec center manager.

“We hope to get a DJ, too,” Howard added.

While the facility officially closed Sept. 26, former owner Alecto Healthcare Services had originally given a date of Oct. 7 for the hospital’s closure. A wake of sorts was held last year to mourn the hospital’s closure, Howard said.

Now, the former workers are calling the gathering a reunion. Howard said the event is open to all former EORH employees. The food will be potluck style, meaning people can bring a dish to share.

The hospital was purchased last spring by a new owner, Dayton-based psychiatrist Dr. John Johnson. He has plans to reopen it by the end of the year. Work continues to get the facility ready for patients.

To help in this endeavor the city of Martins Ferry recently approved legislation that calls for giving a portion of the income tax proceeds paid by future employees back to the facility. It was also announced this week by state legislators that EORH was being granted $10 million in loans from the Ohio Controlling Board. The money will be used to make needed upgrades and repairs to the facility.

Hospital officials have said previously they plan to hold some sort of hiring event or job fair in the future to hire the dozens of workers needed to make the facility run.

Meanwhile, Howard said the Rec Center also is set to host the annual Vendor/Craft Fair from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 17 at the gym.

More than 25 vendors have signed up to sell their wares during the event. There is no admission fee for shoppers. There will also be a 50-50 raffle.