Eyes on the future

Though a groundbreaking date is yet to be determined, the Hartley Community Daycare Center is still chomping at the bit for a new building.

Director Kaity Pedley, board members and community leaders have been trying to secure a location for a new building for the better part of a year. With adequate space at a premium around Hartley, the search to find a suitable spot has been difficult.

Still, progress has forged ahead slowly.

"We have explored several options and have hopefully come to a spot that will work for the size of our project," Pedley said. "We are moving forward in our building process. Our biggest setback has been where to build and gathering the rest of our funding."

Space constraints and other struggles at the current daycare facility sparked discussion about building new. It was constructed in 1920 with an expansion added in 1955, and several maintenance-related issues have caused headaches during the past two years.

According to Pedley, around $56,000 was spent in renovations and repairs last year alone.

"All of it was very necessary and all done to the bare minimum," she said.

One of the bigger projects took place in the kitchen, where a collapsed pipe had to be replaced to allow proper drainage. Before it was fixed, daycare staff had to endure using the kitchen without adequate sinks and water for nearly six months.

"In the time that we did not have working water we had to wash dishes in a back sink and buy paper products to serve our meals," Pedley said.

"During the actual kitchen renovation, we made meals in our hallway and used all paper products."

The project was finished after asbestos was abated, concrete removed and replaced, and new pipes were installed. The kitchen now features a new stainless steel backsplash, sink, drain pipes and dishwasher.

Reduced maintenance costs wouldn't be the only positive impact from a new building. Pedley explained expanded offerings like an after-school program would also be possible with more space.

"We currently do not have the space nor the equipment to satisfy the needs of school-age kids," she said. "It is a very hard age group to provide care for as they are in school the majority of the day but are still needed to be counted in our ratio."

The daycare is allowed to have 67 children in the center. Currently, 22 of those spaces are held for school-age kids, including 4-year-old preschoolers.

"If we had a center large enough to provide a separate space for our school-age kids, then we would be able to take that many more 0-3 year olds," said Pedley. "Offering a before- and after-school program would also help so many more families out who either pay for a nanny in the summer, rely on an older sibling or rely on communication devices while they are at work."

If and when it's built, the new daycare would expand capacity from 67 to 110. Plans call for two infant rooms, a mobile toddler room, two-year-old room, three-year-old room, four-year-old room and a recreation room that would double as the room for school-age children.

Pedley explained the current daycare facility simply cannot sustain itself long-term due to ongoing operating costs and financial constraints that limit program offerings.

"Hartley has a brand new school, new pool and other things that entice people to move here," she said. "However, without a daycare center young couples won't even consider the town if they are commuting for daycare and work."

Daycare officials are currently working with CFE regarding construction plans.

"[CFE CEO] Rob Jacobs has been wonderful to work with and has lent us his full support," Pedley said. "We are in the early stages of drawing up plans, but we are excited about our relationship with them."

Pedley was also grateful for support from Grounded, Valero, other local businesses and contributors, and the Parents of Hartley Community Daycare group.

"We have just had really great support overall and have seen so much interest in getting this project built, not only for the children and families but for the community as well," said Pedley.

The daycare's annual fundraiser is slated for Saturday, March 9. In addition to food, cocktails and a live auction, the Mitch Gordon Band will be rocking the stage throughout the night.

Pedley looked forward to the big event and was optimistic the community would continue supporting the daycare's push for a new building.

"Our new facility is desperately needed, and I am very happy with all of the support we have had over the years," she said. "I truly enjoy my job, working in the community and watching these kids grow up and move on to the next stage of life. Our daycare center is instrumental to our community and it is something I will not give up on."