Community of Caring Leader: No Delays in Childcare Center Opening
Rick Langenberg
Cripple Creek and southern Teller’s dream community project, the development of full-fledged, five day a week childcare hub, encountered its first possible roadblock since its highly celebratory ground-breaking event in early September that attracted hundreds of supporters.
These obstacles deal with needed construction loan funding, and the perceived lack of a bullet-proof operations plan by some financial and banking experts. Moreover, questions are being raised about the risks Community of Caring, the main organization spearheading the project, may be taking with this $5 million daycare project, called “A Place For Kids.” In fact, based on one banking oversight report, concerns are mounting about opening the center on schedule, or the need to possibly take a slight pause in the opening of the project to get more players on board.
However, leaders of Community of Caring say these are challenges they are well of and see no delays in opening the center’s first phase on schedule in late 2026. “We are in the process of building a major asset for the community,” said Mary Bielz, the chairperson of the Community of Caring board. “It is not an overnight thing. This is Community of Caring’s project, but it is going to take the whole community to help make this miracle happen.”
She stressed that obtaining support from many entities throughout the community is an ongoing goal of their group. And without question, Bielz says the green light is flashing for the group to proceed full-speed ahead in reaching their goal of opening the first phase by the end of 2026. This would enable the center to handle about 60 kids and toddlers at one time.
“The need is dramatic,” said Bielz, who last month took center stage in leading one of the most unique and enthusiastic ground-breaking ceremonies ever conducted by a local organization in Teller County. “We are getting great collaboration,” added Bielz.
Bielz said many community residents and civic leaders understand that the goal of opening this daycare center as soon as possible has now amounted to a crisis-like scenario. She cites a 90 percent poverty level for district residents, according to certain statistics.
More Community Players and Stakeholders Needed
These comments followed a presentation before the Cripple Creek city council by Kathryn Perry, the chief financial and lending officer for Park State Bank & Trust. Perry noted that Park State handles $25 million to $50 million in construction-related funding every year. They are assisting Community of Caring and project proponent in obtaining loans for the daycare center.
She cited the solid track A Place For Kids has achieved in getting state grants, but expressed concerns about the ongoing operations plan and the major risks Community of Caring may be taking. “You are going to have to have supplemental funds (once the center opens). We would like to see the stakeholders. We need the stakeholders to come together.”
Perry suggested getting more involvement from the gaming community, which could really benefit from the new project, and other local entities in southern Teller. She even hinted that maybe the original opening be delayed slightly to get more community players on board.
At the same time, Perry lauded the work that has occurred so far, especially in landing key grants from the state and other nonprofits organizations. “I am not saying it (the lack of a full operations plan) is a deal breaker. We just would like to see a clear business plan. It’s like a start-up (business process). There are a lot of moving parts.”
In response to Perry’s concerns, City Administrator Frank Salvato told Park State’s chief financial officer that earlier talks occurred with local casinos, who definitely want to help out. But Salvato cited a problem with identifying a set business approach, while the revolving grant process is still occurring. In an earlier meeting. Ted Borden, the executive director of Community of Caring, outlined three possible business models that are being explored.
Salvato also echoed Bielz’ comments in describing this project as number one on the city’s priority list. He said the city would do what it could to support the development as the project’s fiscal agent. But from a funding standpoint, he said the city could not legally commit major monies on a multi-year basis.
Councilman Jared Bowman, in an interview with TMJ News, suggested that possibly talks get renewed with the gaming industry, as more details are now known about the project, compared to their earlier negotiations.
Unfortunately for center proponents, time is not on their side, as a key condition for a $1 million approved grant from the Department of Local Affairs, requires project completion by the end of next year.
Bielz said their group is currently satisfied with their current plan, calling for the town to have a five-day a week daycare facility, open from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with three classrooms.
That said, she welcomes more dialogue with the casinos, the city and interested groups. Perry said Park State would take whatever steps are appropriate to facilitate this effort.
