RANGELEY — Construction work on the Rangeley Childcare Center is progressing as scheduled. The center will bring a much needed childcare option to the region. It will accommodate a total of 74 children six weeks old through school age.

Groundbreaking on the site took place in August 2024. Site work continued through the winter and spring, as weather allowed. A celebratory milestone was reached on June 10 when electricity was hooked up to the fully enclosed building. On Tuesday, July 17, rough electrical and plumbing work was being completed, and ceiling insulation was being installed.

The center is expected to be fully operational this fall.

The Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children is organizing the project.

The 4,986-square-foot building is is expected to help serve the local economy by supporting families who need childcare to join the workforce.

“We expect the young family population to grow with adequate childcare,” said Ellen Oppenheim, chair of the organization.

It will also could help draw qualified workers from out of town to area businesses.

Project manager Leeanna Wilbur said, “This is a great opportunity for families who travel here for work. People want their young children in childcare near their place of work.”

The center will accommodate eight infants, 12 toddlers, 12 two-year old children and 16 three- and four- year old children.

The preschool room can have multiple purposes. It can serve up to 26 children in the wrap-around preschool program, be used as an overflow space for the other classrooms, or allow for additional future programs such as drop-in care.

Oppenheim said Rangeley Lakes Regional School offers a part-time preschool program. The school is adjacent to the childcare center and accessible by walkways. The childcare center will offer care to preschool children before and after the school program. The idea is to supplement area programs, not replace them, she said.

“The building is designed to be flexible and allow us to make alterations in programs without the cost and inconvenience of reconstruction,” Wilber explained.

Each of the five classrooms open to a age-appropriate outdoor play space. On the interior, classrooms open to a large, open community space that can be utilized for indoor play, a meeting room or a place to gather.

The majority of the funding for the construction of the childcare center was raised through private philanthropy, corporate grants and foundations. Monetary and in-kind donations are still needed.

When it comes to enrolling children and affording childcare, Oppenheim said families are often put on a waitlist for any potential state subsidized childcare.

“We have had some very substantial gifts that will help with out of pocket costs while families are on the waitlist. No one will have to turn down child care because of costs,” Oppenheim said.

Oppenheim said names were being collected for those interested in either employment or childcare. Currently, the center is partnering with Community Concepts, Inc. for hiring a director. Once the director is identified, they will oversee the process of hiring staff and registering children for childcare.

CCI, which overseas childcare programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start, has also assisted building logistics such as software to door locks. with The partnership has been a model example of a public/private effort, Oppenheim said.

“We hope this model can be replicated in other communities,” she said. “Working with CCI has been extremely helpful.”

Construction is expected to be complete by the end of September.

For more information about the project, how to donate, or to inquire about employment or enrollment, visit bethbrunswickmemorialfund.org.