Eagle Grove day care plans for expansion
Child care center seeks block grant to help with cost
EAGLE GROVE — A million dollar project proposed for Eagle’s Wings preschool and child care center could renovate and expand the building up to 4,500 square feet.
An application submitted for a $524,000 Community Development Block Grant, if granted, would be combined with local grants, donations and a conventional loan — all together for the venture estimated at $1,049,000.
Bryce Davis, Eagle Grove city administrator and Eagle’s Wings board member, said Eagle’s Wings will know in two to three months whether the application has been approved. The city’s only center-style daycare, run by a nonprofit board and housed in a city-owned building, could later expand capacity to accommodate another 50 children if enough capital is leftover after prioritized renovations.
Renovations planned for the grant include a larger infant room, upgraded LED lighting for children with special needs, energy efficient heating system upgrades, concrete repair work and replacement of doors and windows.
Upgraded lighting will allow day care employees to adjust intensity and hue, which can have calming effects for those with conditions like autism.
The center is also looking to eventually replace its roof, whose shingles are on year 18 of 30. Cabinetry and cupboards will be modernized in the center, as well.
“Renovating is the primary goal, because we have to make sure our facility is maintained,” Davis said.
Davis said that the expansion is less certain until it can be determined that the center can financially sustain one.
“The goal is to build sustainable service,” Davis said. “We believe expansion is needed, but it is a ‘wish’ at this point. We’ve been fortunate enough that (the day care is) storing money away and not having to ask the city for help.”
The center, currently licensed for 129 children, maintains an average census of about 100 throughout the year, Davis said. Currently, the day care has a waiting list for infants, with a few open spots for 4-year-olds.
A recent Head Start opening has impacted the availability for the latter, though Davis said it’s expected to change as children get older.
“One of the reasons people like centers is because they’re consistently open with consistent hours,” he said, which many parents rely on for much-needed dual income.
The next step after the application will be construction documents, which should take two to three months to draft, before the project is let for bidding. Eagle’s Wings aims to start renovations this summer.