By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Members of the Advancing Barton County Childcare (ABCC) committee last week were able to take a tour of the $1.6 million childcare center being constructed near the 10th Street and K-96 Highway intersection in Great Bend.
Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Arnberger said progress continues on the 6,500-square-foot daycare and they anticipate an April completion date.
"As the Center reaches its completion, we'll be inviting the public for an open house so you can see what we've been working on and are so proud of," said Arnberger. "We'll announce a date closer to the completion of the childcare center, so closer to April."
Following the completion of the construction, the Bright Beginnings Childcare Center will need to go through Kansas Fire Marshal and Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) approvals. Arnberger said the ABCC committee is hoping for an opening in May.
Before they open the doors, the committee will host a job fair at Kansas Works on Main Street in Great Bend on Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. for 11 daycare positions.
"Anybody that wants to apply or wants more information can stop by at that time," said Arnberger. "We'll have several members of our board there that can answer questions and do some interviewing on the spot as well."
The Center will provide care for children aged six weeks to five years. The weekly charge for the childcare center in Great Bend is set at $190 per child. Bright Beginnings will open for 59 children in the beginning.
The ABCC committee took on fundraising for the daycare and received a $2.23 million grant to assist with the Great Bend facility and build a similar daycare in Hoisington.