Community Hospital has requested proposals for an operator to run an early childhood education center planned for the main hospital campus in Grand Junction.

“This project is important as it will allow Community Hospital to provide high-quality child care to our employees and will help us recruit and retain high-quality health care professionals,” said Tawny Espinoza, vice president of business development at Community Hospital. “We look forward to being a part of the solution to help minimize the lack of available child care in Mesa County.”

Construction is expected to begin this spring on an early childhood education center on the hospital campus located at 2351 G Road with completion scheduled for early 2023. The center will accommodate 100 children.

The operator will assist with the design of the facility, funding applications and licensure, as well as work toward the highest level of Colorado Shines quality rating.

To access the request for proposals, visit www.YourCommunityHospital.com. More information also is available by contacting Espinoza at tespinoza@gjhosp.org or (970) 644-3016. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. Feb. 18.

Stephanie Bivins, director of the Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families, said about 4,000 child care slots are needed in Mesa County to meet the demands of the work force. 

“The lack of availability not only affects school readiness and healthy foundations for children, it presents barriers for families to join the local work force,” Bivins said. “It is exciting to be working with innovative community partners such as Community Hospital to help address this important issue.”