Child Development Center breaks ground

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, Combat Center Commanding General, alongside members of the Resident Office in Charge of Construction and T.B. Penick & Sons Inc., broke ground at the site of the Combat Center’s new Child Development Center, Jan. 13, 2014.

This ground breaking marks the official start of construction for the 37,371 square foot building that will accommodate approximately 300 infant through preschool-age children for full and part-time child care. The team is eager to begin construction after a thorough design process.

“This ground breaking is a real milestone for us,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ernesto Padilla, resident officer in charge of construction, ROICC. “We just finished the design phase and now we’re moving into the construction phase.”

The new CDC, located near the gas station, will replace the old one, currently in Building 693. The facility will include amenities such as drop-off and pick-up areas, fenced outdoor activity areas, play equipment, impact surfacing and shade structures.

“(The CDC) is going to a state-of-the-art facility,” said Marc Penick, chief executive officer, T.B. Penick & Sons Inc. “It’s very gratifying to be here and start work. We’ve all waited a long time to get the project started and I’m looking forward to moving on rapidly.”

The facility will also be energy efficient, through the incorporation solar energy farms and conform to strict regulatory practices.

“This means the kids are going to have a great place to go,” Penick said. “Everyone is going to want to bring their kids here.”

The ground breaking was the start of 15-month construction period. The construction is slated to be finished in May of 2015.