GOTHENBURG – July of 2022 the community of Gothenburg held a ground-breaking for what would be a bold experiment to solve a common problem across that state and nation and that is providing affordable quality childcare. On Sunday, a ribbon cutting took place for the Impact Center that is now open for business, a 40,000 square foot building built by an interlocal agreement serving four different purposes under one roof.
The Flatwater Bank Early Learning Center will eventually have the ability to serve over 200 children ages 0-5. Colten Venteicher the President of the Impact Center Board of Directors says that because of this center Gothenburg is one of the few communities in the state that has a place for all of it’s pre-school children. What so many have found is that childcare is not always a successful business model. The cost of running a facility often means that the cost to the parents is too high for them to afford to send their kids. Therefore sustainability is a major issue for new centers. Venteicher along with facilities director Nichole Hetz hope to deal with that issue by not just making this a childcare center. Venteicher credited former Gothenburg Superintendent Dr. Michael Teahon for pushing them five years ago to think big.
Gothenburg has talked for years about the need for a community events center. This was seen as an opportunity to make that part of the new center. With the Dayspring Bank Event Center they have built a quality affordable place to hold get-togethers for 400 people. The proceeds from the events center will help support the sustainability of the Impact Center. As will the Jack Randecker Sports Training Center.
Venteicher mentioned that the Sport Training Center has already served as a useful play area for the kids in the early learning center. With cooler weather coming they are expecting it to be used for even more events.
The last piece of the center is the 96 Ranches Inc. Healthy Families Center. This section of the Impact Center will help families in need by being serving as the new home for the of the “giving closet.” Thus, giving families a place for needed clothing and much more. Dawson County Family Partners central navigator will be housed there along with the Gothenburg Ministerial Association’s Christian Charity Fund. “Basically, they will have access to emergency financial assistance and connection to assistance resources and services,” according to Hetz.
Venteicher was quick to thank the donors for making the construction possible, including $5 million in local funds. Gothenburg Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Alison Jonas and Gothenburg Mayor Verlin Jansen also spoke at the event.
Following the ribbon cutting the audience was treated to refreshments in the event center and tours were given.
