(VERNON, Connecticut) – The Academy of Art & Learning has opened a childcare facility serving 108 children in the town-owned building at 375 Hartford Turnpike. The center, which formally opened Monday, is using space once used by a YMCA childcare facility.
Mayor Dan Champagne and other Town leaders joined center staff on Saturday to celebrate its opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Academy of Art & Learning also held an open house.
“We wanted to put this town-owned space to good use and at the same time knew there was a tremendous need in Vernon for additional childcare,” Mayor Champagne said. “Pauline Fortier of the Academy of Art & Learning contacted the town about leasing 375 Hartford Turnpike. The Town Council unanimously approved a multi-year lease and here we are, with a beautiful and renovated facility to serve local families.”
The Town took on some improvement work, such as installing LED lighting fixtures to save energy. Fortier also had extensive work done, at her expenses, to ready the space.
“Adding new childcare spots to Vernon is really a big deal for families and we are pleased to be able to do it,” Fortier said.
The work to get the facility in shape took about seven weeks and it passed its state inspection last week.
Academy of Arts & Learning occupies more than 8,000 square feet of space in the building that was once Vernon Elementary School.
The building, known as Center 375, also houses park and recreation programs, Vernon’s Public Works Department, the Vernon office of the North Central District Health Department, the Registrars of Voters and an optometrist’s office