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City approves lease for child care center

There’s a new child care center in the works for New Rockford.

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, the New Rockford City Commission agreed to lease the Brown Memorial to the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation. In turn, Scott and Mindy Skjerva will sublease the space to operate “Mindy’s Clubhouse,” a group child care facility.

The lease covers the current clubroom and east bathroom, with exclusive use of the gymnasium at designated times (from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 2 - 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday) and use of the kitchen as needed. The lessees will also fence in the outdoor space south of the building for outdoor play.

The gymnasium and kitchen would still be available to rent for other events and activities any other time. Walkers would be welcome from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Hegland has written a grant to help cover the costs of upgrades to the Brown Memorial. If she is successful, NRABC could receive up to $50,000 to use for the project. The NRABC will also apply for grants available to purchase equipment for the facility.

There are several upgrades needed to make the space operational, Hegland said, including new flooring and countertops in the kitchen, the installation of a hand washing sink and ceiling tile replacement. The child care business will also need a commercial dishwasher at some point, and potentially a fire door if the fire marshall determines that the windows cannot be used for fire escape purposes.

Hegland would also like to see the north closet turned into a third bathroom.

Over the past three years, the city has generated on average $2,194 per year in rental income from the building. Utilities have cost the city $3,157 on average, with minimal use.

Per the proposal, the city would lease the space to NRABC for $350 per month, and the city would continue to pay the utility costs. NRABC will sublease the space to Mindy’s Clubhouse, a group child care business owned by Scott and Mindy Skjerva. The Skjervas will pay the lease payments and cover the cost of phone and internet service.

Commissioners were supportive in general, but had a few concerns.

One big concern was the city’s commitment to paying the utilities, which are sure to rise once the building is in use daily, Commissioner McKnight asserted. She said if the lessee isn’t paying for utilities, there’s no incentive to keep the heat at a certain level or turn off lights.

Commissioners also asked Hegland about how the upgrades would be paid for if the grant writing efforts weren’t successful. She replied that NRABC was prepared to do fundraising, consider other grant opportunities and even self-fund the project if necessary.

“We don’t want you to think we expect the city to do everything,” Scott Skjerva interjected. “We’re not opposed to putting some of our time and money into it.”

Skjerva noted that only a few of the upgrades were absolutely crucial to getting the business operational by Jan. 1. The other renovations could come later, he said.

“One way or another, NRABC is going to fund it,” Hegland concluded.

The commission ultimately approved the lease for one year. “It is very needed,” McKnight said. “I’ve had employees stop working because they don’t have daycare.”

“It’s kind of a win, win deal,” President Stu Richter said. The Brown Memorial gets a facelift, and a local business has an opportunity to grow and provide an essential service.

In recent months, the Brown Memorial has been quite the topic of conversation. After Hegland first presented her plan to the city to lease the clubroom for child care use back in February, Eddy County Emergency Manager Lisa Thompson approached the Eddy County Commission about using the facility as an emergency shelter.

Hegland said Tuesday that a couple of the upgrades she has proposed would benefit both uses of the facility. The first is converting the north closet into a bathroom with a shower. The child care business needs a shower to qualify for one of the food reimbursement programs, and buildings designated as emergency shelters also require a working shower.

The other upgrade needed for both is telecommunications. The Brown Memorial currently does not have internet access. Installing modern equipment will not only benefit the child care center, which needs internet and phone service to operate, but also the members of the public who will use the space for events, meetings and especially during an emergency.

“Absolutely we can work together and we can figure it out,” Hegland said.

She told the Transcript Tuesday that Skjerva is in the process of receiving her group child care license. In the past she has operated an unlicensed daycare out of her home.

The city hasn’t had a group child care facility since 2014, when Just 4 Kidz Childcare closed after five years in operation downtown.

The facility will be licensed for up to 30 kids with a goal to be open by Jan. 1.