Opening the door: Battle Lake Child Care Center opens

Oct. 29--With a huge sigh of relief, the Battle Lake Child Care Center was able to finally open its doors to the public. Just six months and six days after the groundbreaking ceremony, the building was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house Saturday, Oct. 27.

Many people wandered through the doors of the newly built child care center in Battle Lake Saturday. With fresh paint on the walls and a team of people that have been working for many months to make this dream a reality, the capital campaign team welcomed the community to see the building.

Starting with a ribbon cutting, teacher and athletic director at Battle Lake School Dave Marso said, "We just want to thank everyone for coming out and obviously, thanking everyone for helping us make the project happen." Marso is one of the board members of the capital campaign team.

Gary Harrington, capital campaign co-chair, said, "This is what many of you have helped us create."

Reba Gilliand, a member of the capital campaign team, seemed relieved to have the construction complete. She said, "We are very excited, very excited."

Speaking with Jamie Neppl, owner of Tiny Tykes Inc., she is relieved that the building is done but is waiting for the official OK from the licenser. The licenser will come up from Minneapolis, rather than Fergus Falls because of the size of the center. If all goes well, Neppl hopes to have children in the center by the second or third week of November. "Everybody will be starting at different times because of previous child cares," Neppl said.

The total capacity of the center is 46 children, which includes 12 infants, 14 toddlers and 23 preschool-aged children. Neppl and her husband live in Wahpeton where she runs another child-care center, as well as one in Milnor, North Dakota. "I anticipate being out here at least once a week," Neppl said."It's been challenging, but I am up for the challenge."

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