KLAMATH FALLS — The Klamath Childcare Leaning Center proposed for the campus of Klamath Community College was awarded $2 million grant from Business Oregon recently, bringing it one step closer to reality.
The center, which is a partnership of KCC, Oregon Child Development Coalition (OCDC) and Klamath County, is to be a 29,000-square-foot facility that will accommodate up to 145 children in a daycare school setting. It will include 12 adaptable classrooms for children and 2 KCC Early Childhood Education classrooms. It will also have two ADA-equipped playgrounds; a full kitchen for healthy meals and snacks; and curb-to-door bus access for safety.
“Partnerships such as these allow us to move forward with construction of the childcare center,” said KCC President Dr. Roberto Gutierrez. “These funds allow us to build a center that asks for no bond money from local taxpayers, yet fulfills a need in the community and spurs economic development.”
The OCDC will run the day-to-day center operations. Daycare will be open to KCC students, staff and the general public. It will be the largest day care center in Klamath County and the second largest in the state.
“Child care is the number one obstacle for parents to seek work or attend college,” Dr. Gutierrez said. “This project will go a long way in easing that burden.”
KCC will have two classrooms to offer studies in early childhood learning, allowing students to work towards a teaching certificate and eventual degree.
Plans for the center started to take shape several years ago when the county realized that nearly two-thirds of Klamath County residents do not have access to licensed, certified childcare. Further, full-time childcare costs an average of $748 per month in Klamath County and takes up 22% of a household’s median income.
When approached by KCC, Klamath County Commissioners deeded 3 acres of land adjacent to the college to build a center. The college also was awarded a $500,000 grant to begin planning for the center. KCC hired Pivot Architecture of Eugene to draw up plans and conduct community outreach on what the building should include.
The location was not ideal due to traffic patterns and it was decided to move the building on campus. It will now sit near the campus’ north entrance, making it convenient for parents and school buses to drop off students easily and safely.
The building is estimated to cost between $18 to $22 million. KCC has secured the majority of the funds and additional funds are anticipated through a community-based capital campaign starting in the fall and pursuit of additional grant funding.
For more information about KCC and its programs, visit www.klamathcc.edu.
