JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The long-awaited groundbreaking ceremony for a new Child Development Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston took place on April 19, 2024.
The new facility will help alleviate a shortage of childcare on the installation.
“The future center will accommodate 304 children, six weeks to five years of age, as well as 80 staff members,” said Irena Ness, architect for the 802nd Civil Engineer Squadron and project manager for the new facility.
The yet unnamed center, which will include 41,786 square feet of space, will be located on Dodd Road and will have a K-shaped design.
“This is going to be a great project for the entire community, and was a long time in the making,” said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Calvin A. Kroeger, commander, Fort Worth District. “We want to make sure we are doing it right to safely finish a quality child development center on schedule and within budget.”
The interior layout of the center will include five infant activity rooms, six pre-toddler activity rooms, six toddler activity rooms, and five preschool activity rooms, according to Ness. Administration and faculty support spaces will be in the center of the building.
Also included will be two laundry rooms, multiple storage rooms, and a commercial kitchen.
Contained within the interior courtyards will be fenced-in play areas outfitted with equipment to support each age group’s level of outdoor activities.
The site will consist of wide sidewalks at all entrances and exits, around the building, and to access parking. The parking design will have two different lots. The first lot, closest to the front entry, will be for parent drop-off and pickup. The second lot will accommodate staff and faculty.
“This new CDC will provide a great opportunity for our JBSA families and their children,” said Col. Travis M. Mills, commander, 502nd Force Support Group, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. “Childcare is an integral part of our mission here on JBSA, and with this new facility, parents will know their children are safe and cared for so they can focus on their jobs and mission readiness.”
The center is expected to be completed in Winter 2025.