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Construction to Begin Soon at ARRA Funded Child Development Center

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100204-01
Release Date: 2/4/2010 11:01:00 AM

By Denise Emsley, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Navy, Marine Corps, and contractor personnel held a Hawaiian ground-blessing ceremony Jan. 28 to celebrate the construction of a new Child Development Center (CDC) at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Kaneohe Bay.

The $9.6 million, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funded design-build contract was awarded July 31, 2009 to AMEC-Nan Joint Venture, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii.

"The new CDC will help meet stated Headquarters Marine Corps goals and the needs of families stationed in Hawaii," said Col. Robert D. Rice, commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. "It will positively impact the morale and welfare of our military families and Marine retention by providing reliable and safe child care. In addition, the facility will expand existing capabilities."

The 17,986 square foot CDC will be constructed of reinforced concrete masonry. Designed for the best use in caring for the development of children, it will include 10 classrooms/activity rooms, administrative spaces, staff lounge, staff and public toilets, a full kitchen, laundry, miscellaneous support and storage spaces as well as appropriate enclosed outdoor play areas with playground equipment.

"We are very excited about the building of a brand new, stand alone, CDC which will provide additional spaces for the care of approximately 122 children from the ages of six weeks to five years and located near the existing CDC, adjacent to family housing, said Jeff Chaney, director, Marine Corps Community Services.

The project supports Marine Corps program goals for child care and development and basic facilities requirements. The facility will incorporate sustainable design features such as energy saving electronic monitoring and control systems, laminated glazing for exterior doors and windows, solar panels, occupancy sensors, local/regional materials, water efficient/reduction design, natural views, insulated walls and roof.

"The existing CDC is at capacity, and all actions to maximize its space have been exhausted," said Chaney. "There are few commercial alternatives for child care within a reasonable commuting distance to the base, and those available charge high fees.

Those in attendance, included Rice, Chaney, Nan Inc. Vice President Frank H. Okimoto, Nan Inc. Vice President Samuel S. Ho, AMEC Executive Vice President Pacific Region Paul T. Pettit Jr., AMEC Vice President Pacific Operations William A. Kucharski, NAVFAC Hawaii Commanding Officer Capt. Bret J. Muilenburg, Marine and Family Services Director Esta L. Stapels, and Children, Youth and Teen Programs Administrator Janet M. Hooten.

The Hawaiian blessing, which included traditional chanting and the distribution of sanctified fresh water and sea salt on the future construction site, was performed by Kahu Kauila M. Clark, from the Native Hawaiian Healing Center in Waianae.

The project, financed by federal stimulus money, was the first task order issued under NAVFAC Pacific's new Global Multiple Award Construction Contract (GMACC) awarded July 31, 2009. AMEC-Nan Joint Venture, LLC, Honolulu, was one of four firms selected to bid on future packages of military construction contracts worth up to $900 million through 2014.

"The GMACC is an extremely valuable contracting vehicle, which will help various government departments across the globe execute their major projects in an efficient and expedited manner and to properly facilitate and carry out the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," said Nan, Inc. President Fooney Freestone.

Potential projects under the GMACC will include new construction, repair, demolition, and renovation work, including utilities and waterfront jobs, construction of medical facilities (hospitals, medical clinics, and/or dental clinics), and energy and water conservation projects at various DoD installations worldwide.

Construction of the MCBH CDC is set to begin soon in February 2010, with an anticipated completion date of February 2011.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.