MCB Quantico Breaks Ground on New Child Development Center

By James Johnson, NAVFAC Washington Public Affairs

QUANTICO, Va. (NNS) -- A groundbreaking ceremony was held Feb. 9 for a new child development center (CDC) on board Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico, Va.

Managed by Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington, the 31,710 square foot facility will address a critical need for Marines and their families, providing services for up to 290 children aged six weeks to six years.

NAVFAC Washington awarded a $15 million contract to BIG-DESBUILD, Inc. May 10, 2010. Construction is scheduled for completion Nov. 15, 2011.

Col. Daniel Choike, commander, MCB Quantico spoke at the event and directed a portion of his remarks to Capt. Ramé Hemstreet, commanding officer, NAVFAC Washington.

"Thank you and your team for everything that was done to see this project through to get it to this particular point," said Choike. "I know that you'll be looking very closely because I know you understand and your team understands how important this project is to our families."

Existing CDCs at MCB Quantico are at capacity, which requires some personnel assigned to MCB Quantico to find in-home child-care solutions or private child care providers. The new facility will be large enough to accommodate these families.

"We're extremely excited to see this project completed so that we can provide additional child development services for all of our authorized patrons," said Chris Bennett, MCB Marine Corps Community Services deputy director during the event.

The one-story building will feature classrooms, offices and storage spaces, as well as kitchen and laundry areas. An outdoor recreation area with athletic fields, playground equipment, and lighting will be built. The building will comply with anti-terrorism/force-protection requirements.

A unique feature will be a photovoltaic system on the structure's roof, which is expected to provide approximately 30 percent of the building's electrical demands.

"We all have to be really happy and motivated in terms of what this particular project means to this installation," said Choike. "I think as base commander, with all the people that I have that work on base in support of Marines and their families, this I think is right up there in terms of the importance of what it means to take care of our Marine families through the care and education and certain programs we have through our child development centers."

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.