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Home My Public Portal AboutExpansion of Childcare Programming - BGCCity of Watertown, MA ARPA Project Proposal Submitted by: Gary Beatty Submitted on: May 26, 2023 Request Number: ARPA-26 Project Name: New Foundations: Expansion of Childcare Programming - Space, Safety & Security, and Staﬃng Proposal Type: Organization Watertown Boys & Girls Club Recommended Project Manager: Watertown Boys & Girls Club Project Summary: Renovate, update, expand basement level to serve up to 75 children K-3 in a licensed childcare program. Amount of ARPA Funds Requested: $1,815,000 Minimum Funds Needed: $1,815,000 Matching funds available? Don't Know Other funds available? Yes Bridge Loan if we do not receive full funding Guaranteed Project Narrative: I have a detailed narrative to upload Watertown Boys and Girls Club is pleased to submit this proposal for ARPA Funds. Overview When the pandemic hit Watertown in March of 2020, Watertown schools closed and were challenged to respond in a safe but eﬀecve way. Watertown Boys and Girls Club (WBGC) played a leadership role to help provide our most vulnerable families access to much needed resources. Staﬀ delivered food, meals and medicine to families in need. They secured resources such as computers and internet access for those families who needed it. Determined to keep the social connecon acve for our youth and teens, our team connued to be available by oﬀering virtual programming during aer school hours. Addionally, our Staﬀ regularly conducted teen check-ins. In Fall 2020, while schools remained closed, WBGC was able to open. In response to the community need for educaonal support for students' online learning while parents worked, we developed and implemented a program called Club Academy. This program provided Watertown students with a safe place to connue their online learning and was staﬀed with supporve adults. The number of kids the Club could accommodate was limited by square feet of available space. This program ﬁlled to capacity and remained open unl schools were able to reopen in Spring of 2021. Our role as a vital resource for all of Watertown is evident in our growing number of partnerships and collaboraons with local businesses, municipal departments and community organizaons. For example, we are currently in discussions with Watertown High School about how WBGC can help accommodate WHS students during the construcon of the new high school. Post-pandemic, our programs again have quickly reached capacity, with as many as 130 children and teens coming to the Club aer school each day. In response the growing need for quality child care in Watertown, the Board of Directors have decided to take over the lower level of our building, conduct a major renovaon of the space, and create a new, licensed child care program for grades K-3. We have named this major iniave, the New Foundaons Project. ARPA Proposal Date: 05/25/2023 ~.WATERTOWN • ~ BOYS & GIRLS CWB Objecve Speciﬁcally, we want to both expand the age of students we serve to include those in grades K-3 and improve the quality and variety of programming we are able to oﬀer to help accommodate the need for high-quality and aﬀordable childcare in the Watertown community. Opportunity During school year, 2022-2023, there were over 40 children on Watertown Public School’s childcare waitlist. So that we can accommodate this need in a way that is consistent with Boys & Girls Club standards, we plan to renovate our lower level and open a Licensed Child Care Center, which could accommodate up to 75 youth. OUR PROPOSAL Total amount requested: $1,815,000 Renovaons: $1,564,000 In order to comply with the State of Massachuses EEC Licensing requirements, we will be required to complete a number of costly renovaons. In addion to making the space meet the licensing requirements, this construcon will also address the building's much needed safety issues such as installing a ﬁre suppression system and construcng a secure entry way. Addionally, these renovaons will allow us to meet ADA requirements by making our building accessible to all. The WBGC has already engaged an architect to prepare these plans. We have paid for the design and have received several construcon esmates. Below is an outline of this project and the breakdown of the total cost of this project. Accessiblility/Chairli At this me the two levels each have their own accessible entries. However, in order to link the two levels, so the pool and gym are accessible to all members, we plan to install an interior chair li. Fire Suppression At this me, neither level has a ﬁre protecon system. In order to proceed with our plans, a full ﬁre protecon system must be installed on both levels. This is a crucial upgrade for the enre building for safety of all of our members and our staﬀ. Separate/Secure Entry A new secure and separate entry is needed for the licensed addion. Addional Construcon Costs Also included in this proposal is demolion, electrical, plumbing, permits, ﬂooring, ceilings, drywall, paint, insurance, general condions, HVAC, Construcon Manager, etc. Staﬃng: $251,000 During the pandemic, we lost a number of key staﬀ. One reason for this is that Watertown has become a very expensive place to live, and the salaries we are able to oﬀer do not pay enough for our staﬀ to live close by. These staﬀ should be considered essenal workers. Since the pandemic has eased, we have been ﬂooded with more kids than ever to take advantage of our aer school drop-in care. In our current aer school drop-in program, staﬀ to student raos are 1:25. Staﬀ raos for a licensed program for younger students are higher at 1:13. Thus, there is the need for more staﬀ at compeve rates. We have completed a thorough business plan for the licensed daycare. We intend to oﬀer compeve wages to aract the best employees. In order to meet the staﬀ requirements for licensed childcare, staﬀ and beneﬁt costs will be about $125,500/year for years 1 and 2 assuming 50-75% capacity is reached during that me. According to the business plan, by year 3 we expect to be at full capacity in this program and will be able to generate enough income to cover these staﬃng expenses and connue providing this program. It should be noted that in the near future, at least two new daycare centers will be opening in Watertown. Although we will not be compeng for the same age group of kids, we will be compeng for the same staﬀ. A detailed budget and meline is included at the end of this proposal. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION In light of the role that the Boys & Girls Club has played in helping Watertown families in need to cope with the pandemic, it seems appropriate to seek a good poron of it from the ARPA funds that Watertown has received. Any resources required in addion to the ARPA funding: In addion to ARPA funding, we have received a commitment from Watertown Savings Bank stang that they will provide a bridge loan if needed in the event we fall short of funds in order for the construcon work to connue and allow us to meet ARPA deadlines. Receiving this ARPA funding will open up opportunies for other grants. Metrics for Success: accommodate up to 75 children grades K-3 operaon. Complete demolion and renovaon of the ground ﬂoor for our new licensed program to Become Licensed by EEC. Enroll at least 35 children in year 1, and enroll 55 children in year 2 of • • Outputs/Outcomes: Watertown families will have another opon for a quality, aﬀordable, and licensed aerschool programs. Beneﬁt to Watertown Residents: WBGC is known for its high quality aer school program and services. Families trust the Club, and know that our programs are aﬀordable for all. WBGC will be able to ﬁll the need for aﬀordable childcare by providing this licensed childcare program to the community and alleviate the waitlists at other facilies in Watertown. We will also provide ﬁnancial aid to those who cannot aﬀord it and we will be licensed to accept childcare vouchers. How the project meets the City’s ARPA proposal criteria: 1. Project is already well underway as the meline shows. Monies will be encumbered by Dec. 31, 2024, and spent by December 2026. 2. WBGC is experienced in planning and implemenng capital projects with capable leadership and an experienced Board of Directors. We have strong community support and many resources in the construcon industry that will make this project a success. 3. This project will serve hundreds of Watertown families within the next ﬁve years and in the coming years, we expect to serve thousands of Watertown families. 4. Beneﬁts are long term; once built and established, WBGC will become the leading childcare provider in Watertown for ages K-3. 5. WBGC has the proven ability to leverage other funding sources if needed 6. The COVID pandemic underscored the need for aﬀordable childcare in Watertown. As a result of COVID, the workforce has changed; it is diﬃcult to recruit and retain employees, and higher wages must be considered in order to compete with similar organizaons who provide the same service. New Foundations Construction/Licensing Timeline May 25, 2023 DATE PROGRESS EVENT Oct 2023 ARPA Funds Awarded Dec 2023 ARPA Funds Encumbered June 2024 Childcare Director Hired: Licensing Process Begins Sept 2024 Construction Begins Jan 2025 Sr. Youth Dev. Staff Hired Feb 2025 Youth Dev. Staff Hired March 2025 Construction Complete: EEC Licensing Complete March 2025 Licensed Program Opens Dec 2026 ARPA Funds Spent WATERTOWN BOYS & GIRLS CLUB Watertown Boys and Girls Club 25 Whites Ave Watertown, MA Estimate 5/23/2023 DESCRIPTION Pricing Project Requirements 125,000 Demolition 65,000 Sitework 75,000 Bollards, Wheel stops and fire service main Landscaping & Irrigation - Abatement 20,000 Allowance Concrete 25,000 Interior ramp and interior stairs Masonry 5,000 Infill stair door Canopy System and Steel Structure - Misc Metals 35,000 Rear stairs rework railings, lift enclosure HPL Panels - Finish Carpentry 100,000 Allowance Insulation 12,000 Fireproofing & Firestopping 2,000 Joint Sealants and Waterproofing - Doors Frames & Hardware 25,000 Paint grade doors Glass & Glazing 73,000 Interior only Drywall 75,000 Flooring 54,637 Acoustical Ceilings 10,500 Paint & Wallcoverings 29,900 Building Specialties 7,500 Elevator & Lifts 60,000 Furnishings & Appliances - Fire Protection 175,000 Assume lift at pool Plumbing 55,000 HVAC 127,500 Reuse exterior equipment Electrical 180,000 No exterior lighting, security SUBTOTAL 1,337,037 Design Contingency 0.00% Construction Contingency 7.50%- General Conditions 130,000 Builder's Risk Building Permit 1.50%22,006 Insurance 1.00%14,670 Fee 4.00%60,149 TOTAL COST 1,563,861.44 February 9, 2023 WATERTOWN BOYS & GIRLS CLUB EXPENSES Budgeted Staff # Hours/Day Hourly Rate # Days Ext'd Exp (budgeted staff) Director 1 8 $33.00 215 $ 56,760 Sr. Youth Development 2 4 $25.50 102 $ 20,808 Youth Development 2 4 $21.00 102 $ 17,136 Benefits/Taxes $ 17,994 Total Payroll $ 112,698 EXPENSES Budgeted Staff # Hours/Day Hourly Rate # Days Ext'd Exp (budgeted staff) Director 1 8 $33.00 215 $ 56,760 Sr. Youth Development 2 4 $25.50 208 $ 42,432 Youth Development 2 4 $21.00 102 $ 17,136 Benefits/Taxes $ 22,102 Total Payroll $ 138,430 Staff Salaries: Year 1 & 2 Total 251,128$ Staff Salaries: Year 1 (50% capacity) Licensed Afterschool Program - Staffing Costs Staff Salaries: Year 2 (75% capacity) WATERTOWN BOYS & GIRLS CLUB Watertown -Savings Bank - May 23, 2023 Watertown Town Council 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 RE: Watertown Boys and Girls Club ARPA Application Dear Sirs: Brett W. Dean President and Chief Executive Officer As you are aware, the Watertown Boys and Girls Club is applying for funds available under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the Club's New Foundation Renovation and Building Upgrade Project. As a member of the Club's Board of Directors, I am well aware of the project and the benefits it will bring to the thousands of Watertown youth the Club has and will continue to serve. I would also like to confirm that given a long-standing relationship with the Club, Watertown Savings Bank stands ready to finance those aspects of the plan that are not covered by ARPA, thereby assuring the Council that the project will be completed. If you have any questions about this matter, please feel free contact me directly at 617-928- 2360. Sincerely, Brett W. Dean President, CEO 60 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472 Telephone: (617) 928-9000 Fax: (617) 972-9217 May 22, 2023 To whom it may concern: The Charles River Regional Chamber enthusiastically supports the application by the Watertown Boys & Girls Clubs for ARPA funding to enlarge the size and capacity of its facility to accommodate more kids in its after school programs. Driven largely by a shrinking number of open child care slots and staff shortages, parents in Middlesex County pay the third highest childcare prices in the nation, according to the Department of Labor. Watertown employers repeatedly cite a scarcity of child care slots as among the top impediments to their ability to hire and retain workers, right along with the region’s housing shortage and transportation challenges. Empowering the Watertown Boys & Girls Clubs to expand its day care slots would be of measurable benefit to both residents and those who work, or may be enticed to work in the city. We appreciate your thoughtful consideration for helping fund their expansion project. Greg Reibman President Charles River Regional Chamber. CHARLES RIVER REGIONAL CHAMBER CHARLESRIVERCHAMBER.COM ... NEWTON NEEDHAM ~ WELLESLEY ,-,,.,;;;;;;,; WATERTOWN