Local leaders, families, and community partners gathered last week to break ground on a new early learning center in Fernley, a project aimed at tackling one of the region’s most persistent challenges: access to childcare.
The facility, developed by the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, will serve children from six weeks to five years old and is expected to accommodate 70 to 80 additional children once completed.
Lyon County Commissioner Rob Jacobsen emphasized the urgency of the need. In Lyon County, only about 10 percent of licensed childcare demand is currently being met, leaving many families without reliable options.
“This is a daycare desert,” he said during the ceremony, noting that limited childcare access directly impacts workforce participation and family stability.
The new center will be located adjacent to the existing Boys & Girls Club site, creating what organizers described as a “one-stop” location for families with children of different ages. Parents will be able to drop off both school-aged children and younger siblings in a single place, reducing daily logistical challenges.
Club officials said the expansion reflects a broader shift in how the organization serves the community.
“We’re not just an after-school program anymore,” said Oscar Padilla, area director of the Boys & Girls Club. “We’re becoming a comprehensive support system for families.”
The early learning center will offer structured curriculum for all age groups, including infants, toddlers, and pre-kindergarten students, with a focus on preparing children for success in school.
City officials highlighted another key aspect of the project: it is being built entirely through private fundraising and donor support, with no cost to taxpayers.
“This represents an investment in our children, our families, and our future,” said Neal McIntyre.
The project has been years in the making, spanning multiple city administrations and requiring coordination between local government, nonprofit leadership, and private partners. Construction is expected to begin immediately following final permitting, with crews scheduled to break ground the day after the ceremony.
Community leaders say the impact will extend beyond childcare alone. Early childhood education is widely recognized as a key factor in long-term academic success, and local educators noted that children who enter kindergarten prepared are significantly more likely to succeed.
Organizers also pointed to future plans for the site, including additional community facilities such as a gymnasium, as part of a larger vision to expand services in Fernley.
For now, the focus remains on getting the early learning center built and open to families.
“This is a big step forward,” Padilla said. “And it’s just the beginning.”
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