The MetroWest YMCA held its official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for its new Early Learning Center on Friday September 13, 2019.
The renovation and expansion of the Center will increase the number of toddler and pre-school slots by 22, bringing the total number of licensed slots to 98. The center is licensed by the EEC and has been NAEYC accredited.
In her first public appearance, the new Commissioner of the MA Department of Early Education and Care, Samantha Aigner-Treworgy, attended the event and praised the MetroWest Y for their commitment to quality and accessibility.
More than half of the children attending the center receive financial assistance and 17 different languages are spoken in the Center. Joining the Commissioner were Susan Nicholl, representing Senate President Karen Spilka, and State Representatives Jack Lewis, Maria Robinson and Carmine Gentile.
According to Rick MacPherson, President and CEO of the MetroWest YMCA, “We are grateful for our dedicated board of directors and for the strong support of our community which is making this impactful transformation possible. We remain committed to meeting the needs of the community, and our quality early education programs are an important part of that work. Special thanks go to our General Contractor, Rubicon Builders and our Architect, Annino and Company and to our legislative leaders and the Commissioner for joining us on this important day.
The expansion of the Y’s Early Learning Center is the first phase of an overall $8,000,000 expansion which will be complete in January and includes renovation of the 50 year old aquatic center, addition of multiple new wellness and group exercise spaces, production kitchen, community room, after-school program center, and redesign of the entrance way and building interior.