|
|
|
|
|
Cow Creek Band Of Umpqua Tribe of Indians donates $20,000 to the city of Canyonville, Oregon to help fund a feasibility study for the South Umpqua Valley Family Center which would include a child-care center.
By Caitlin Cleary
CANYONVILLE The concept of the South Umpqua Valley Family Center took another step toward realization Tuesday when the city began to look at consultant teams for a feasibility study.
"If we make it work, it'll be the biggest thing that happened to this area," said City Administrator Larry Andrew.
Although no decisions have been made, the child-care center could potentially be a 24-hour facility, the scope of which would expand past day care to family services.
“The city of Canyonville has offered to donate the land in back of city hall if the study deems it suitable for the center. The land including city hall is about 2.5 acres, Larry Andrew said, and presently has nothing else on it.
The Ford Family Foundation and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians donated $20,000 each to fund the study.
Umpqua Community Development Corp., and International Resources Unlimited Inc./Goodwill are both in the running for the job as consultants.
The city has budgeted $25,000 for the feasibility study and needs assessment; $10,000 for architectural, environmental and engineering studies of the site; and $5,000 for legal and contingency funds.
The idea is to have an all hours center for children of workers who work all different shifts; it has been a community goal for some time.
The family center may be host to certain agencies and programs like Battered Persons Advocacy, ADAPT, Umpqua Training and Employment, Adult and Family Services and some medical care, Andrew said.
"I am so excited about this project when I see all the things we need down here in south county," said Sue Shaffer, Cow Creek tribal chairwoman.
Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino Resort held a couple of small fund-raisers last summer to bring public awareness to the need for the child-care center.
The city must find out how much people need the center and how much they can afford to pay.
Officials have ordered the consultant team to look at potential cost and to analyze the need through caseload information from child-care and family service agencies and surveys of' area employers and employees. The study should be complete by May.
There will be two public meetings during the course of the study to brief the city council and public on the progress of the study and to solicit input.
<<< Cow Creeks - A Responsible Employer >>>