BATH, Maine — Between swimming lessons, early morning workouts, and childcare, the Bath Area Family YMCA is bustling with activity every day.
The YMCA opened its 'Tree House' building earlier this year and staff can now serve more than 90 kids from 18 months to five years old.
But Annie Colaluca, the Executive Director of Early Learning and Family Services at the YMCA, said there is still a need for affordable childcare opportunities for local families.
The YMCA and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works recently announced a new partnership that will expand childcare offerings in the area. Through their investment, and other federal funding, a facility on Farley Road in Brunswick will be redeveloped into a 10-classroom childhood education center and host 120 spots for children of BIW workers, with more spots available for other community members.
That facility was previously owned by Martin's Point Health Care, according to a news release.
The partnership will also open up more than 30 spots for children of BIW employees at the new facility and the YMCA in Bath.
“We recognize that 150 childcare spots isn’t going to solve the whole problem, but we are trying really hard to do our piece and to do the best we can with resolving some of the childcare needs in this community," Colaluca said.
Like many employers across the state, Ray Steen, Vice President of Human Resources for BIW, said childcare is a major barrier for the shipyard to attract and retain quality workers.
“The process is stressful, the waiting is difficult, the cost is very high," Steen said. “With that kind of momentum and all [these] organizations all working for the same thing, some pretty wonderful things can happen and I’m excited for this project.”
At the YMCA, Colaluca said its nationally accredited child care program is an early learning center, offering a foundation for kids to become successful adults later in their lives and work with families to cover the costs.
“A mission of our YMCA is that we will never turn our families away for their inability to pay for services," she added.
She added that state efforts like the Child Care Affordability Program help families pay for child care and help centers like the YMCA retain high-quality staff. Colaluca said her staff can enroll their children into childcare programs and can take advantage of a family membership to the YMCA.
According to a news release, renovations on the Farley Road facility are expected to begin soon and has a target opening of September 2025.