(Atlantic) Diana Williams, longtime director of the Ann Wickman Child Development Center, says it has been exciting to watch the steady progress taking place at the Camblin Hills housing development site, part of Vision Atlantic’s $89 million community project.
Williams says seeing the construction and continued development in that area highlights the growth and potential of the Atlantic community.
She also noted that she has been inspired by the Around Atlantic Facebook page, especially the historic photos that show what Atlantic looked like when the community was first being developed and beginning to grow.
Vision Atlantic leaders continue fundraising efforts for two major parts of the project — a new childcare center with space for up to 300 children and an expansion of the YMCA. Williams says the childcare center is especially important for the community. She explains that families depend on reliable childcare so they can go to work, and local businesses depend on it to ensure employees can remain in the workforce.
According to Williams, the larger facility would help serve families currently on a waiting list, create new opportunities for businesses, and allow the center to hire additional employees to meet growing demand.
Deb Schuler, co-chair of the Vision Atlantic fundraising committee, says there are several ways community members can contribute to the project. Donation options include online giving, corporate sponsorships, volunteering, gifts of real estate, planned giving, IRA charitable rollovers, gifts of grain, and cash donations. Schuler also announced that a community update on the project will be held on March 23 at 5 p.m. at the Cass County Community Center.
She says the group has received several questions about how the YMCA renovation will be carried out and what impact construction may have on the facility’s daily operations. More information on those details will be shared in an upcoming report featuring Schuler.
