Kishwaukee College finally will have a building dedicated for childcare.

After using a building for almost 30 years, which had a planned life of only seven years, a new state grant will allow the community college to construct a new facility for childcare.

The Early Childcare Center at Kishwaukee College accommodates about 35 children a day and has an enrollment of about 65 students, said Steve Kimmel, director of the center.

“We provide early education for 2- to 6-year-old children,” Kimmel said. “Kids come to us while their parents are getting their education.”

The center applied for state funds in August of 2001. The funds applied for by KCC were allotted by the state government and announced by Gov. George Ryan in the amount of $1.2 million, Kimmel added.

A total of $50 million was made available by the state towards the renovation of temporary buildings at state colleges this year.

“Kishwaukee, along with 17 or 18 other colleges, received funds for the renovation of temporary buildings,” Kishwaukee President Dave Louis said.

Louis added that the childcare facility will be the last of the temporary buildings at Kishwaukee College.

“We are very excited about the grant, and are very appreciative of the Governor’s office as well as the entire system as a whole,” Louis said.

The plans for the new structure still are in the idea stage, but an architect is being sought, Kimmel said.

The old, temporary building will be mildly re-designed and converted into a maintenance receiving area for the college, Louis explained.

“We’re really excited to build a building that is specifically designed for children,” Kimmel said.

Kimmel also noted that the childcare center can be utilized by the whole community, not just the Kishwaukee students.

President Louis was hopeful that the building would be built by next spring.