North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) broke ground Monday on the Lacey Education and Family (LEAF) Center.
Funded by a district’s 2024 capital levy, the LEAF Center will provide preschool and family education services to up to 600 students annually once it opens.
“Thanks to voter support, the LEAF center will provide high quality … early learning and family education opportunities in our community for years to come,” Superintendent Troy Oliver said during a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, March 30.
The NTPS school board voted Feb. 24 to award a $40 million construction contract for the LEAF Center to Forma Construction, according to reporting by The Olympian.
The 45,000 sq ft facility is being built on Marvin Road SE near Nisqually Middle School.
Construction is expected to finish in the fall of 2027.
Once finished, the LEAF Center will offer a mix of indoor and outdoor preschool spaces, a commercial kitchen, and family-friendly spaces for parenting classes and for outside agencies to provide on-site health and wellness support.
“The potential for future use of this building is unlimited,” said NTPS School Board Vice President Michelle Gibson. “Working with community partners, we will continue to explore additional ways to make the most of this space for community members.”
The facility is one of the ways that NTPS is aiming to meet its early learning goals.
Community partners who have contributed to the design and vision of the LEAF Center so far include Thurston Economic Development Council; The South Sound YMCA Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation; Thurston County Chamber of Commerce; City of Lacey; Thurston County; Timberland Regional Library; and Child Care Action Council.
For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4de897fa
