ABOVE: The unfinished childcare space at Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont will soon be completed thanks to a generous offer from the Board of Directors.

FAIRMONT– The shortage of childcare has long been a problem in Martin County and beyond but it’s about to be alleviated thanks to a generous offer. The Board of Directors at Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center in Fairmont has recently stepped up and agreed to fund the remaining amount needed to finish the childcare space that is Building Blocks Learning Center and Childcare within Lakeview.

Back in 2017 when Building Blocks lost its lease, the city approached Lakeview and asked if the senior living campus would have space to house them. Lakeview quickly took action to make arrangements so that Building Blocks could have a new home.

When Lakeview began its expansion and remodel project just a few years later, it included a new and bigger space specifically for childcare. However, inflation hit in a big way, throwing a wrench in the project.

“All of the costs were locked in for the nursing home before Covid but because the childcare space was the last piece of the project, those costs weren’t locked in,” explained Administrator, Deb Barnes. “That’s why everything soared so tremendously.”

There was $1.2 million included in the budget for the new space, but that amount only provided the bare bones. Concrete was pored, framing was put up for walls and new windows were installed but that’s it. In fact the space has sat unfinished, only used for extra storage, since 2022 when the rest of the project was complete.

Lakeview has tried to fundraise and has had success with generous donations from both individuals and businesses, which Barnes stressed they have been so thankful for. However, there haven’t been many grant opportunities available to help finish the project, especially considering Building Blocks is for-profit while Lakeview is a non-profit.

“No one saw it as Lakeview. They saw it as Building Blocks and it was very difficult to try to explain that it’s Lakeview property,” Barnes said.

About $1 million has been needed to finish up the space and with roughly half of that raised already, Barnes said, “The board has decided that we will secure the remainder of the funds up front.”

Board members include Chuck Haugen, Brandon Edmundson, Brad Musser, Nancy Nordstorm, Dr. Tim Bachenberg, Dr. John Lund, Melissa Tumbleson, Pastor Jeff Adams and Jason Subbert.

Though fundraising efforts continue to take place, one situation really brought the severity of the childcare shortage to the forefront for Barnes and the Board. One of Lakeview’s employees, Financial Director Tania Wallace, was looking for childcare this spring and as Building Blocks was full, she ended up calling about 20 local in-home childcare providers from a list of providers from Health and Human Services of Faribault and Martin County and all were full.

Wallace said she was fortunate to have family nearby who could help, but recognized that many people don’t have that. While she and her husband both work full time, Wallace said she was considering ending her employment so that she could care for the two children, ages 2 and 4.

“I was preparing for what that would look like, being a stay-at-home mom,” Wallace said, noting there would be an adjustment for her and her children.

However, once Barnes heard Wallace was considering leaving, she knew something had to be done. She also knew that there are many people in the community in the same situation.

In fact, Shea Ripley, owner of Building Blocks, said they receive at least five calls on average per week from people looking for childcare. She said many of those who contact them are from out of town and looking to relocate to the area.

Right now, Building Blocks is operating with 50 children maximum because of space limitations. With the new space, they’ll be able to handle up to 99 children, thus doubling their capacity.

Ripley does not anticipate that they will struggle to find additional employees as they continue to receive applications. What will help retain employees though, is the benefit package and pay increase that will come when childcare goes under Lakeview’s umbrella.

Because of this funding development, the childcare center will now come under the umbrella of Lakeview. More grant opportunities will be available as a change to the profit status as well.

Currently, Building Blocks is Lakeview’s tenant so they pay for their own food, supplies and other expenses. Coming out of Lakeview’s scope will change those details but Barnes pointed out that due to the economy of scale, adding more children will increase the funding flow overall.

“It’s been such an awesome partnership already and I think this will make it close to perfection,” Ripley said. “We’re excited to get into a space tailored to the children and the staff being taken care of.”

Barnes said right now the Board’s focus is getting construction started.

“We’ve met with the architect and with United Builders from Blue Earth and they’re preparing and believe they can start the project in early 2025,” Barnes said.

The work is expected to take three to four months until it’s complete.

Barnes acknowledged that finishing up the space wouldn’t completely solve the issue of childcare, but she said it’s a step in the right direction, and one they are glad to take.

“Our mission statement drives us to look for ways to new ways to serve continuously. This feels like the biggest community need at the moment and we have the means to solve a part of it,” Barnes said.