Gladstone seeks funding to renovate YMCA for child care amid crisis

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction convened on May 9, 2025, to discuss pressing infrastructure needs in Oregon, focusing on child care and wastewater treatment projects.

One of the primary topics was the critical shortage of accessible child care in Gladstone, identified as a child care desert. Local providers, such as Clacko Kids, reported being fully enrolled for two years and highlighted a waitlist of over 300 children needing services. The community is advocating for the renovation of a former YMCA building to create six classrooms, which would accommodate up to 72 children, including 32 infants and toddlers. The project is backed by strong community support and aims to open by February 2026. Advocates emphasized that investing in early childhood services, like Head Start, yields significant returns, with studies showing a return on investment of $7 to $9 for every dollar spent. This initiative is seen as vital for supporting workforce participation and improving long-term educational and health outcomes.

Another significant discussion point came from Estacada, where the assistant city manager, Elena Turpin, requested $10 million to support a $58 million wastewater treatment plant project. Estacada has experienced rapid growth, with its population doubling over the past decade, leading to increased strain on its infrastructure. The current wastewater plant, built in 1963, is at capacity and has faced multiple violations from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for failing to meet discharge limits. Turpin noted that without an updated facility, the city would face a moratorium on new housing developments, impacting over 1,200 planned lots. The new plant is crucial not only for compliance but also for ensuring safe drinking water for over 360,000 residents downstream.

The discussions highlighted the urgent need for investment in both child care and wastewater infrastructure to support community growth and well-being in Oregon. The committee's decisions on funding these projects will have significant implications for local families and the environment.