Walla Walla YMCA offers to lead $2M state childcare construction grant for Lions Park community building

Karen Hedin, chief executive officer of the Walla Walla YMCA, told the City of College Place City Council on Aug. 5 that the Washington State Department of Commerce Early Learning Facilities grant will open in September and close in October and can reimburse up to $2 million in construction costs for the childcare portion of the Lions Park Community Building. The request matters to the city because the proposed childcare would occupy city-owned property; Commerce grants over $250,000 typically require security against real property and the Commerce program commonly includes a 10‑year lien requirement, Hedin told the council. She said the grant is reimbursement-based and that Commerce typically pays quickly after invoices are submitted: “When I submit on a Monday, I'm paid by Wednesday.” Hedin described design and funding context for the community building: earlier design-phase funding has been secured; the Early Learning Facilities (ELF) grant is intended to fund construction of licensed early-learning space. In the current schematic design, Hedin said, the building would place the childcare center and community hall on the first floor and the rural library on the second floor, with circulation designed to separate library access from the licensed childcare area. She said licensed status matters because it lets families who qualify access state fee assistance. Council members and staff pressed for cost context and a point of contact. Robert (staff) reported a recent total construction estimate of about $6.3 million and said the project still shows a funding shortfall in the roughly $2 million–$2.5 million range; he flagged that final, architect-produced costs are still pending. Hedin said she can prepare and lead the ELF application or serve as drafter working with city staff and counsel: “I would just ask you to give me someone who's a point of contact if you'd like me to drive the train or if you'd like me to just be a drafter with someone here on the council.” Council members voiced support and asked practical questions about how the grant would be structured. Hedin reiterated that Commerce grants require reimbursement of actual expenditures and typically will secure projects with a lien for the 10‑year commitment period; she said her organization will submit grant documents for city and legal review if the council and staff wish to have the YMCA take the lead. Council and staff also discussed other potential funding sources Hedin said she would pursue in parallel, including private foundations and additional Commerce programs for community facilities. No formal motion or vote occurred during the workshop. Councilmembers indicated general support for moving forward and asked staff to identify a city point of contact for coordination if the YMCA proceeds with drafting the application. The council did not authorize any expenditure or sign any documents at the meeting. Background and next steps: Hedin said the ELF solicitation opens in September and applications are due in October; final construction budgets will come from the city’s design and architect deliverables. Hedin and council members discussed the possibility of also applying for other Commerce or foundation grants for non‑construction items such as playfield equipment or furnishings, which she said are often funded separately. City staff and the YMCA agreed to follow up to confirm roles, legal review, and a drafting timeline.