By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The former Oak Park Medical Complex is now filled with bright colors and children’s laughter after a $2 million renovation.
Early Childhood Connections moved from the Washington school several weeks ago. Donna Hudson-Hamilton, ECC director, said the new space is a great improvement over Washington, a 90-year-old building that had significant infrastructure issues, including problems with plumbing, sewer, the roof, and heating and air conditioning.
Although Hudson-Hamilton said converting the former medical complex, 2300 E. 13th, into a school was challenging for the architect, it has meant the new classrooms are right-sized for the programs and children who will be using them.
“It was kind of a challenge because there were so many rooms,” she said. “We tried to use as many existing walls and doorways and restrooms as possible. I have to give all the kudos to the architect because that is something he worked on doing, using as much as we can. This was quite a maze before we came in here it being a medical facility with all of the exam rooms. He did a great job with that.”
USD 489 also tried to use as much of the existing cabinetry to reduce costs. Playground equipment was moved from the former location at Washington school.
Every nook and cranny in the complex is being used for something — classrooms, offices, storage, an indoor activity room for indoor recess, a sensory room, nurses station, meeting rooms and a breastfeeding room.
The project also included a tornado shelter, which Washington did not have. The ECC now has off-street parking, and the ECC was able to expand its classroom space to facilitate the addition of all-day Headstart, which is being required by the federal government.
The renovated complex has secure entrances. During regular drop-off and pick-up times, doors are unlocked. However, during school hours, visitors will need to be buzzed in through the office, which is in building one (right front building as you enter the parking lot).
Once all four buildings are complete, ECC will house Headstart, Early Headstart, state pre-kindergarten, services through the Early Childhood Block Grant, USD 489 tuition-based preschool, Parents as Teachers and Early Childhood Special Education programs for a total of about 180 kids.
Although programs have already moved into the complex, finishing touches are still being done on buildings one, two and four. Building three is yet to be completed. That will house the district’s infant and toddler program, which is now located at Munjor school. Hudson-Hamilton said she anticipates work will be complete and that program will move to Oak Park by the end of September.
She said having all the children in one location will mean parents with children in more than one program will have only one drop off. It also means all of the staff will be in one building, which should be more efficient and allow for more collaboration.
Once Munjor is vacated, that building will go back to the Catholic Church. An Overland Park company has a contract to buy the Washington school building. The developer hopes to renovate the building into low-income apartments, contingent on receiving tax credits for the project.
If you have questions about ECC’s programs or how to apply, Hudson-Hamilton urged parents to contact the ECC.
USD 489 has a Hays Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting set for 10 a.m. Oct. 24.
