News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Van Buren County Masonic Building could receive the needed funding to upgrade the vacant structure to a new daycare facility.
The county’s Committee B approved $30,000 to bring the building up to codes. Mayor Greg Wilson said at least three parties have expressed interest in opening a facility.
“One thing that Van Buren County doesn’t have other than our Head Start Program over in the third district over near Fall Creek Falls,” Wilson said. “We do not have any childcare daycare centers that can go from six weeks on up and that building there would be a very good place.”
Wilson said the building itself has been renovated recently, but the location needs a fenced-in playground, two additional entrances and kitchen renovations. Wilson said the project would be up for Commission approval this month.
“The building itself was renovated in 2015,” Wilson said. “It’s in really good shape. The only problem is we need a fenced-in playground. We also have to have two entrances or exits: one in the front and one in the back and that is going to be fairly costly.”
The building is located behind the Burritt Memorial Library at College Street. Wilson said to make the requirements for a daycare, a concrete ramp also needs to be installed at the back part of the building, the stairs leading to the kitchen need to be improved and two bathrooms need upgrades.
“There’s quite a bit to do to get it ready,” Wilson said.
