POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility to house a $6 million childcare center on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 10:30 a.m.

Families, children, local educational partners and elected officials will be on hand for the ceremony, including Assemblymember Addie A. E. Jenne, who secured $6 million in taxpayer funding for the project. The groundbreaking ceremony is open to the public.

In its new location on Outer Main Street across from The Crane School of Music, the 13,000-square-foot SUNY Potsdam Child Care Center building will offer access for busy parents to drop off and pick up their children without driving through campus. The new facility will feature seven classrooms specially designed for every age group served by the center, each with dedicated children's bathrooms and special rooms as needed, such as sleeping spaces for infants, a changing area for toddlers, a project space for preschool-age children and a laundry area.

SUNY Potsdam Child Care Center Director Lori Moulton said that the new facility will have a slight increase in capacity.

There will be separate outdoor gross motor skills play areas for the different age groups, as well as two indoor play areas. One room is set aside for storing strollers and car seats, with easy outdoor access. The center will feature a commercial kitchen for preparing nutritious meals, and a food prep area for infants. There will be an inviting reception space and a waiting area for parents. Staff will benefit from office space and a break room. There will also be a library holding the center's collection of children's books, which will function as a board room and teacher planning and resource area.

The new SUNY Potsdam Child Care Center facility was designed by Architectural Resources PC, and the general contractor for the project is Bette & Cring LLC.