OM Sanctuary is expected to become the premier potential center in the Southeast, hosting programs and events led by the leading presenters in holistic education and bring approximately 57 new jobs to the area.

ASHEVILLE, NC -- OM Sanctuary, a non-profit holistic education retreat center, will be celebrating their next phase of development with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 6, 2013. The center is located in Asheville, NC.

The ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and will take place between 4-6:30 p.m. on site at 87 Richmond Hill Drive in Asheville. Festivities will follow the ceremony including food, refreshments, a raffle and door prizes from local businesses and a short presentation.

Special guests include County Commissioner David Gantt, music by classical guitarist Timothy Ballard and the Sahara Peace Choir and a tribute from renowned architect, author and OM Sanctuary Advisory Board Member Sarah Susanka. Mayor Terry Bellamy has also been invited.

After the ceremony guests are welcome to learn more about OM Sanctuary, tour the gorgeous gardens and take part in a Chestnut Tree Planting in honor of Jake Michaels donated by Treasure Trees.

After the purchase of the former Richmond Hill in the fall of 2011, OM Sanctuary went into what visionary founder Shelli Stanback called ‘Discovery and Recovery’ stage and began cultivating new life into the property.

Led by Patton Sarley of Sarley Consultants (former president of Kripalu and CEO of the Omega Institute) a multi-year phased Sustainability Plan has been developed that maps the organization’s growth. “In the current Bridge Phase we are utilizing the existing sleeping rooms and assembly space to host medium sized programs and retreats,” offers Mrs. Stanback.

Harry Feinburg OM Sanctuary’s Chief Operational Officer states “When we are full to scale OM Sanctuary will be the premier potential center in the Southeast, hosting programs and events led by the leading presenters in holistic education and bring approximately 57 new jobs to the area”. This phase of the development will require replacing the 9000 sq. ft. of the Pearson Mansion lost to the fire with larger program rooms, eco dorms and dinning facilities. “We are excited to celebrate this phase of our accomplishments and to acknowledge our many volunteers and professionals who have generously helped us move forward”, says Mrs. Stanback.

Additional American chestnut seedlings will be planted in memorial of Jake Michel, the former owner of the property through a donation by Jonathan and Susan Nilsson to Buncombe County Treasured Trees and Asheville Greenworks Program. Dolly Parton and her uncle, country music legend Bill Owens wrote “O Chestnut Tree” to help raise support for American chestnut restoration. Asheville singer/songwriter Sarah Tucker will perform “O Chestnut Tree” at the American chestnut memorial planting. These seedlings are a part of a unique breeding program by the Chestnut Foundation, to restore the American chestnut to our eastern woodlands.

The mission of the OM Sanctuary is to create a sanctuary for renewal, integrative lifestyle practices and holistic education and to connect with nature. Visit www.omsanctuary.org for more information.