JC Day Care renovations nearly halfway complete

The Jefferson City Day Care Center is renovating its laundry room and multipurpose room as a part of the planned renovations in progress since June.

The recent construction started nearly a month ago, or shortly after the center received the permits to begin the most recent round of renovations. The renovations should be completed sometime in March, Scheidt said.

"We had a janitor's closet and we are keeping it like that as much as we can, but we are putting in some washers and dryers," Scheidt said.

The project started last summer when the center put in a new roof and upgraded the kitchen and porch. The new kitchen has made feeding more than 100 children much easier, and cleaning the new industrial equipment is also simpler, Scheidt said.

The center has estimated the total cost of the project to be $400,000, and currently, they have a little less than half of the needed funds, said Donna Scheidt, the center's executive director. The money will be collected in donations and pledges mostly, but there is a possibility they will host fundraising events too, Scheidt has previously said.

Through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) the center was able to start the renovations as it receives the money to pay for them. The Missouri Department of Economic Development is providing tax credits through the NAP to businesses that contribute, but there is only about $100,000 left in tax credits, Scheidt said. Companies that work with construction supplies also are encouraged to speak with the center's leadership about receiving tax credits for donating needed materials for the renovations, said Dave Turner, co-chair of the Friends of Children Committee.

"People can also donate stock," Scheidt added. "So if you have capital gains and you don't want to pay your capital gains taxes, you can donate stock for tax credits."

The next renovations will be to three classrooms. The center will ensure the rooms are up to code by adding new sprinkler systems, better heating and cooling systems and individual bathrooms for each one, Scheidt said.

"I have worked here for a long time, so it is very nice to see some much needed renovations," she added. "The classrooms are going to be the biggest renovation by far because three classrooms are a lot, but when they are finished, they will be safer."