$18M NEW CHILD CARE FACILITY COMING TO EGLIN AFB

If you didn't think Eglin AFB wasn't getting ready for the massive military growth, think again. The Child Care Facilities are just a few of the many "Quality of Life" projects being built to accomodate the ten's of thousands of new military being assigned to our area. I can assure you, what Eglin is building will not accomodate all the need. Private sector will have to step up and fill in the holes. The word from the senior leadership is the troops are asking for more shops, restaurants, and other forms of entertainment. Believe me, with the present salary situation of the military, you are missing the boat by not targeting this group, who has money year round.

Child-care space increasing at Eglin
By MONA MOORE
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4443 mmoore@nwfdailynews.com  

EGLIN AFB — Two new childcare facilities are under construction. The $18 million project includes two 37,890-square-foot buildings that will each accommodate 305 children. “In addition to the infant, toddler, and preschool rooms, both Child Development Centers are equipped with a full kitchen and laundry, administrative spaces, and multiple playgrounds,” said Paula Harris, spokeswoman for Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon, defense contractors for the project. The buildings are scheduled for completion by Aug. 15, 2011, and will be located on Boatner Road between the hospital and the Officer’s Club. The facilities will provide care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. “They will be side by side and they will mirror each other in design,” said Malinda Camp, chief of the Airmen Family Services flight. BWSC has teamed with contractor A.E. New Jr., out of Pensacola, for the project. The new facility was financed with $9.6 million in BRAC funds and $8.8 million in military construction money. The CDC currently has a waiting list of about 80 children. Nearly 400 children attend the CDC. “Years ago, before I even came here, (the CDC) had a large waiting list and they built a temporary facility that houses more than 270 children. And that facility will be replaced with one of the centers,” Camp said. “The other one is to accommodate the demand once the 7th Special Forces and the Joint Strike Fighter families get here.” In addition to the new facilities, a $3.06 million addition of the current CDC is under way. Scheduled for completion Feb. 25, 2011, the new addition will be used for before- and after-school care of children 5 to 12 years old. The 10,300-square-foot addition will include classroom space, a food service kitchen, storage areas and administrative and staff support.