PGT begins construction on its child care facility

VENICE — One of the first company-financed employee family care projects in this area, The PGT Innovations Child Care Center, is under construction at 101 Triple Diamond Blvd., in North Venice.

Local commercial construction company J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp. of Venice was awarded the contract to build the center.

At more than ?8,000 square feet, the facility will offer affordable, convenient child care services to PGT families with young children.

Additionally, children of parents who work in the Triple Diamond Commerce Park in North Venice will be offered the opportunity to participate in the program.

A $1.8 million project, including the land acquisition, it is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2018.

Although it is owned by PGT, the facility will be operated by the Venice branch of the SKY Family YMCA, a licensed voluntary pre-kindergarten provider.

To accommodate parents working various shifts, the new child care facility will be open six days a week from 4:30 a.m. to ?7 p.m., with flexible pick-up and drop-off policies.

It will be staffed by professionals trained by the YMCA and operated as a licensed and accredited facility.

“We are excited to be entering the construction phase now,” said Debbie LaPinska, vice president of Human Resources at PGT. “We have an existing relationship with Jeff Charlotte and his team and know the project will progress efficiently.”

This facility is one of the first child care facilities with extended hours to meet the needs of the workforce, she said.

“We are glad to be able to offer an affordable and nearby child care option that will offer a safe, reliable and consistent environment for children,” she said.

It has the capacity to accommodate just under 100 children aged six weeks to ?5 years old and will offer curriculum-based programs, healthy meals and an outdoor playground, according to officials.

PGT has more than 2,700 employees statewide.