On Friday, December 10, UC Davis Health, SMUD and Sacramento State celebrated the groundbreaking of a new child development center in East Sacramento, which is scheduled to open in 2022. With an enrollment capacity of about 200, the 17,000-square-foot center will feature modern, child-friendly amenities and accommodate children ages 0-4. The new center will have more than 15,000-square feet of outdoor space, including a new playground and children's garden with sensory and edible plants. The garden design was developed by a former UC Davis student for her senior research project.
In attendance at the groundbreaking was UC Davis Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer Christine Lovely. She was joined by Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, SMUD CEO and General Manager Paul Lau, SMUD Board President Nancy Bui Thompson and Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen to officially "turn the dirt" at the site of the new center.
This is a day and dream long envisioned, and tons of hard work and imaginative teamwork drove this incredible project - we're so excited that we're finally breaking ground today!"-Christine Lovely
"This is a day and dream long envisioned, and tons of hard work and imaginative teamwork drove this incredible project – we're so excited that we're finally breaking ground today!" said Lovely.
Lighthouse Child Development Center, located on the SMUD campus on S Street, will close, having served families for more than a quarter century. All children currently enrolled at Lighthouse will be guaranteed a space at the new facility and current staff will also have an opportunity to join the new center. Employees and affiliates of the partnership will receive enrollment priority followed by the community at-large.
