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YMCA Early Learning Center breaks ground in Port Angeles

Published 1:30 am Friday, May 30, 2025

By Peninsula Daily News

Wendy Bart, the CEO of the Olympic Peninsula YMCA was the MC at a Ground Breaking Ceremony Wed afternoon. The new Early Learning Center (child care) is to be built in the area just west of the YMCA's current parking lot off Francis Street. Over 40 dignitaries and interested people came for the introduction and the ground breaking photo op. Bart in her opening remarks said the idea for the project was formed during COVID when they realized the Olympic Peninsula was a “child care desert”. Soon was formed the money raising and architectural drawings. “The people of the Olympic Peninsula are magical” when explaining that $7 million of the needed $9 million have been promised. “We have a trajectory for success from a caring community” she continued. The 8000 sq foot building will break ground next month with a finish date of opening in September of 2026. The facility designed for children under age 5 will have hours of 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. The general contractors is G.L.Y. of Bellevue. WA. Ground Breaking Op — L to R are Randy Johnson, Virginia O’Neil, Steve Tharinger, Mike French, Mark Ozias, LaTrisha Suggs, Drew Schwab, Glenn Smithson, Lori Robbin, John Vorhees, And a host of “special guests” who perhaps will get to use the new facility when opened. (call Jody Minker for more info at 360-301-3221) dlogan
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Wendy Bart, the CEO of the Olympic Peninsula YMCA was the MC at a Ground Breaking Ceremony Wed afternoon. The new Early Learning Center (child care) is to be built in the area just west of the YMCA's current parking lot off Francis Street. Over 40 dignitaries and interested people came for the introduction and the ground breaking photo op. Bart in her opening remarks said the idea for the project was formed during COVID when they realized the Olympic Peninsula was a “child care desert”. Soon was formed the money raising and architectural drawings. “The people of the Olympic Peninsula are magical” when explaining that $7 million of the needed $9 million have been promised. “We have a trajectory for success from a caring community” she continued. The 8000 sq foot building will break ground next month with a finish date of opening in September of 2026. The facility designed for children under age 5 will have hours of 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. The general contractors is G.L.Y. of Bellevue. WA. Ground Breaking Op — L to R are Randy Johnson, Virginia O’Neil, Steve Tharinger, Mike French, Mark Ozias, LaTrisha Suggs, Drew Schwab, Glenn Smithson, Lori Robbin, John Vorhees, And a host of “special guests” who perhaps will get to use the new facility when opened. (call Jody Minker for more info at 360-301-3221) dlogan
Pictured, left to right, are Randy Johnson, Clallam County Commissioner; Virginia O’Neil, Olympic Peninsula YMCA Board of Directors; Rep. Steve Tharinger, State District 24; Mike French, Clallam County Commissioner; Mark Ozias, Clallam County Commissioner; LaTrisha Suggs, Port Angeles City Council; Drew Schwab, Port Angeles City Council; Glenn Smithson, 7 Cedars Casino General Manager; Lori Robbin, BCRA Design; John Vorhees, GLY Construction — all with assistance from a “Y Kids” crew. (Dave Logan/For Peninsula Daily News)

PORT ANGELES — Wendy Bart, the CEO of the Olympic Peninsula YMCA led a ground breaking ceremony Wednesday afternoon at the location of the new Early Learning Center to be built just west of the YMCA’s current parking lot off Francis Street.

Bart, in her opening remarks, said the idea for the project was formed during COVID when they realized the Olympic Peninsula was “a child care desert.”

“The people of the Olympic Peninsula are magical,” Bart said when explaining that $7 million of the needed $9 million needed for the project has been promised. “We have a trajectory for success from a caring community.”

Over 40 local dignitaries and attendees came for the introduction and the event. The ceremonial shoveling had a slew of small helpers — YMCA program youth with child-size hard hats and shovels, including Kamden Hazard, Jessica Davis, Porter Uskoski, David Belanger, William Horejsi, Micha Howell-Hazard, and Ari Bogren.

The 8,000-square-foot building is expected to open in September 2026. The facility, designed for children younger than 5, is expected have hours of 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The general contractor is GLY Construction of Bellevue, with design by BCRA Design of Tacoma.

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