New Early Childhood Center Opens
January 5 -- The public school system's new Early Childhood Center has opened to praise from students and parents as well. Utilizing the latest innovations in school construction, the structure includes safe rooms and a water retention pond to slow run-offs during rain storms. Other improvements in the interior include wider halls, better lighting, and pleasing wall colors. Epoxy floors which are easier to clean are found throughout the building. The roof and walls have been reinforced to withstand extreme weather conditions. But the young students using the facility appeared to be most excited by the new playground equipment, some of which feature flower seats and storyteller chairs. With the completion recently of this and other new school construction, the final big project authorized under a $28 million bond issue passed in April 2014 still under construction will be the new field house now being built at the high school. It may be ready for use as early as this fall.
Shown at the top is the old "shop" building being torn down last summer to make way for the new Early Childhood Learning Center. The bottom photo shows the completed new building after a light snow several weeks ago. The insert shows the water retention pond at the corner of Franklin and College streets.
Photos Above: (Top Left:) The new Learning Center building will also serve as a large safe room -- not only for students, but for area residents. Note the heavy roofing beams that add extra protection to the structure; (Top Right:) Worker puts final touches to the floor of a meeting room; (Left, Second Row:) Modern design in various rooms reduce stress and improve the learning environment; (Right, Second Row:) New wide halls are bright and cheerful for students; (Left, Third Row:) New cabinets and storage areas are functional yet attractive; (Right, Third Row:) Part of the new playground equipment that's inviting for the children to use; (Left, Fourth Row:) Playground Equipment from a Different Prospective; (Right, Bottom Row:) Some of the first children to use the new facility entering the building.