By Stephanie Fromm, Executive Director of Winneshiek County Development and Tourism
The Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center, an exciting addition to Winneshiek County’s community services has recently opened part of its facility. After years of project planning, fundraising and finally construction, the childcare portion of the facility opened its doors on Monday, June 10. The milestone marks the accomplishment of a project that not only addresses the critical need for more childcare slots in the area but also promises to enrich the lives of young children through public access to the innovative indoor play areas in the Discovery Center.
Meeting a critical need
Access to childcare, a priority issue initially adopted by Winneshiek County Development and Tourism more than five years ago, was noted as one of the most pressing challenges facing families in Winneshiek County. With the completion of this project phase, the Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center is helping to alleviate this issue by adding much-needed childcare slots in its beautiful state-of-the-art facility. This multi-million dollar initiative taken on and supported by dozens of organizations in the county, not only supports working families but also contributes to the overall well-being and development of children.
The purposefully designed building provides a clean, reliable and safe environment for children in the community and features a fully-operational kitchen and 13 cozy classrooms divided by age and named after woodland creatures such as ducklings, chipmunks, otters, owls, foxes and wolves. Sunflower is excited to share the building space with the local HeadStart pre-school program. Sunflower will also offer summer care and before/after school care for school-age children (ages 5-12). This facility will provide care to more than 200 children, ages 0-12 years old.
Through successful fundraising and grant writing efforts, the facility offers amenities that include an indoor gym space, a learning kitchen, which is sized for students, and beautiful outdoor play spaces. The facility made energy-efficient decisions when building, and has included a 210kW solar array, 60kW SolarEdge battery system, 22kW Standby Generac Generator, SolarFlower Array and a Daily Educational Solar Production and Monitor Display System that will help visually educate children and visiting families about the positive impact this setup has on both the nonprofit’s operating budget and the environment.
Returning “home” to its roots
The opening of the Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center marks a poignant moment for the organization, as it returns to one of its original locations within the city of Decorah due to a four-acre land donation from WinnMed. This symbolic return signifies not only a physical expansion but also a reaffirmation of commitment to the community, where Sunflower’s journey began by establishing roots in familiar surroundings. Sunflower aims to build on existing relationships and continue its legacy of providing exceptional childcare services.
Innovative indoor play areas
The public indoor play area is scheduled to open this fall. Sunflower will introduce state-of-the-art indoor play areas designed to stimulate creativity, learning and physical activity among children.
Highlights include a dynamic water table, where young ones can explore the principles of buoyancy, hydrology and air dynamics in a safe and engaging environment. Additionally, other components will fill the space, including a large wall mounted Light Bright and giant Etch-A-Sketch, a netted climbing structure and rock climbing wall, and other various features including Duplo Lego building block tables and a turf-surfaced toddler play area. These spaces will challenge children to develop their large motor skills, coordination and creative thinking while having fun.
A fully equipped gymnasium will also offer ample space for active play and structured physical activities. Each area is crafted to encourage exploration and social interaction, promoting holistic growth and development.
Teamwork makes the dream work
From dream to reality, the journey of the Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center has been a testament to the power of teamwork and dedication. Early on, a united effort in fundraising laid the foundation for success, spearheaded by the collaborative leadership of Lora Friest, Larry Grimstad, John R. Schroeher, Mary Ann Thurmer, Dan Thurmer, Merlene Brown, Rita Friest, Barbara Wilkerson, Harlan Satrom, Mike Harman and Stephanie Fromm.
The Sunflower Construction Committee then took the helm, guiding the project through every phase with meticulous attention. Weekly meetings buzzed with activity, punctuated by countless phone calls and decisions on facility layout, building materials and more. Special recognition goes to the core team comprising Merlene Brown, John Schroeher, Jim Bower and Stephanie Fromm, whose dedication and expertise were instrumental in bringing the project to fruition.
Amidst challenges, the Sunflower Board of Directors stood steadfast, navigating uncharted waters with resilience and foresight. Members, including John Schroeher, Carson Eggland, Carolyn Dahlen, Mellissa Bills, Merlene Brown, Brent Freilinger and Stephanie Fromm, deserve applause for their unwavering commitment. Equally commendable are Sunflower’s administrative team, including Holly Benda, Daiton Johnson and Amy Winter, and veteran staff who remained dedicated throughout, providing invaluable insights and guidance that proved pivotal to the project’s success.
As the Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center opens its doors, the community celebrates not just a new facility, but a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, perseverance and a shared vision. This project is a community legacy and our community is so grateful for all the special donors that contributed time and money towards the project over the years.
Lighting up the block
Visitors can’t miss the mesmerizing new light fixture greeting visitors at the entrance. This year, a generous donor sparked a brilliant idea: Collaborating with the construction committee to craft an artistic masterpiece from Ball Mason Jars. Thanks to the creative efforts of Hannah Tulgren, Maddie Putnam, Merlene Brown and Stephanie Fromm, approximately 1,800 of these jars now adorn the ceiling, casting a breathtaking glow that’s become a centerpiece of admiration.
Future
As the center prepared to open its doors, anticipation was high among families and community members alike. The Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center promises to be a hub of learning, play and community engagement, catering to the needs of children and families in the Winneshiek County area and beyond. With its innovative indoor play areas and expanded childcare options, the center is certain to make a significant impact on the local community, nurturing the next generation of thinkers, dreamers and leaders.
More photos in the July 9 Driftless.
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