Early Learning Center Phase I celebration honors donors

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On Sept. 29, Clark College held a dedication ceremony for Phase I of Clark’s new Oliva Family Early Learning Center on behalf of its youngest students.

The project was created through a public-private partnership. The state of Washington provided $1 million for Phase I of the Early Learning Center on the condition that the college raises matching funds.

The indoor area of Phase I contains two flexible classroom spaces, a large multipurpose room, kitchen, and resource center. The multipurpose room includes a double-sided fireplace and stage, a kitchen pass-through counter, and movable furniture to support family gatherings, staff and community provider trainings, and children’s activities. The resource center contains reference materials to nurture parenting skills and child development.

Phase I also includes an outdoor play environment, known as the Little Penguins’ Gardens. It features a live willow hut, rock spiral area for storytelling, bubbling creek bed with hand pump, a tiered hill for climbing and playtime, and a simulated camp ground.

A gift from Jan and Steve Oliva of Vancouver allowed the project to move forward. Steve served as president and CEO of Hi-School Pharmacy. Jan’s many connections to Clark College include serving on the Clark College Foundation Board for 15 years, including two years as chair.

She has also noted that, as a young parent, she benefited from Clark’s early learning program. In 2009, the Oliva’s were named Philanthropists of the Year by the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington.

LSW Architects, based in Vancouver, designed the 5,000 square foot structure, which was built by JWC Construction.



Kitty Welsh of Vancouver donated the funding for the Little Penguins’ Gardens in the Early Learning Center. She made the gift in honor of her late husband, Paul. A bench in the garden is inscribed with her husband’s name.

Clark College President Robert Knight said, "At a time when our state funding continues to decline, it’s clear that donor support is vitally important for today’s students and to help us meet our region’s need for the future. We are deeply grateful to Jan and Steve Oliva and to Kitty Welsh for their generosity and their commitment to Clark College, our students, and our community."

Phase II of the project is still in the planning stages in terms of design and funding. When completed, Phase II will replace the two remaining buildings in the Children and Family Services complex. Two pods will contain a number of classrooms and faculty offices as well as an atelier art studio and an observation deck for the Clark students who will go on to become early learning professionals

Following the dedication and ribbon-cutting, guests will enjoy self-guided tours and refreshments. The Early Learning Center is located on the north end of the main campus located at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, in Vancouver. Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps. Information about the new facility is available at www.clark.edu/cc/elc.