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Transition Updates (September 26th, 2022):
It’s official, we found a home! On Tuesday 9/6, the Teton Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 to support our bid for 5000 square feet of space in the new building under construction at 105 Mercill Avenue. This new space means more exhibits, more programs, more fun! JHCM is now able to continue cultivating a thriving ecosystem of childcare services for over 90% of the community.
Our eyes are now on the future, walking a dynamic and exciting path forward with the same mission to serve children, to serve families, and to serve the community as best we can. While 105 Mercill is still under construction, the bulk of construction is estimated to be completed by mid-winter, with the Museum hoping to move in towards the end of winter and open our doors to children and this community for programs by Spring Break.
We aim to raise the capital funds to support this significant move over the coming year which includes the updating of our exhibits and investing in staffing. We seek the community's support to help with this transition. And while we are working with local architects to design out the space, we are also VERY excited to get input from this community and in particular, from children in this community, JHCM’s most avid and creative participants. We plan to form a kid’s committee with applications opening late Fall - stay tuned! We want to hear from you!
FAQs
Where is 105 Mercill?
105 Mercill is located on the North end of town just west of Cache Street on the truck bypass route. The building is adjacent to the Children’s Learning Center and across the street from the old Inversion Yoga Studio.
When are you opening?
We are still trying to firm up timelines with contractors but we hope to have a phased opening with administrative offices open in February, programs starting in March and the Museum opening sometime in April & May. Please check this page or sign-up for our newsletter for more updates.
When will construction be completed?
We hope construction will be completed in February with the installation of exhibits happening in March & April.
How much is it going to cost?
We are currently working on cost estimates with our contractors and hope to have more information by November.
What are the terms of your lease?
We hope to finalize our lease with Teton County in November. We will be leasing units 101, 102, and 103 at 105 Mercill Avenue. We have asked for a 5 year lease with the option for lease renewals up to 30 years.
How much space?
Unit 101 is approximately 1100 square feet, 102 is just under 2300 square feet and unit 103 is just under 1800 square feet.
How do you plan to use all of this space?
We are in the process of working with local architects to map out the new space. In addition to expanded exhibit space and office space for added staff, we are hoping to design 105 Mercill to also accommodate more programs and expanded age ranges.
How will membership be changing?
We do anticipate some changes will be happening to memberships. Our goal is to expand the hours of operations, expand our benefits, and provide greater customization for member experiences to support the children and families of this community. In the meantime, we are relaunching memberships during this Fall transition and will be providing Members with free and discounted programming at JH Indoor and various other locations within the community including Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center. Please check out our membership page or sign-up for our newsletter for more updates.
How will programs change?
We anticipate being able to nearly double the programs we currently offer with the additional space. We are looking into expanding the age ranges we serve with the increased capacity.
Are there going to be staffing changes?
With additional programs and space we plan to have additional staff. We love our educators and hope all of them will continue with us through this transition.
Will you be running a capital campaign?
We hope to raise the necessary capital funds to support this significant move. Our board and staff are reviewing the cost to not only build out the space but also to update our exhibits, invest in staffing, and fund the operations of this facility through a capital campaign. We will definitely be seeking the community's support to help with this transition.
What are you doing this fall?
We are conducting remote programming at JH Indoors from 9am-12pm and afterschool programs, STEAM programs, homeschool programs, movement and creativity workshops, and much more. Please check our Fall Programming page for additional information.
Who else is in the space?
Happy Kidz Daycare was selected for unit 104. We are excited to partner with them and also continue our partnership with the Children’s Learning Center to support the daycare services of this community. The units above this space are intended for workforce housing.
How can I get more information?
Please check out our website for more information. Or contact Ethan Lobdell, executive director, at 307.690.5584.
How can I help?
Sign up for memberships, stay informed through our newsletter, and participate in our programs.
105 Mercill is located on the North end of town just west of Cache Street on the truck bypass route. The building is adjacent to the Children’s Learning Center and across the street from the old Inversion Yoga Studio.
When are you opening?
We are still trying to firm up timelines with contractors but we hope to have a phased opening with administrative offices open in February, programs starting in March and the Museum opening sometime in April & May. Please check this page or sign-up for our newsletter for more updates.
When will construction be completed?
We hope construction will be completed in February with the installation of exhibits happening in March & April.
How much is it going to cost?
We are currently working on cost estimates with our contractors and hope to have more information by November.
What are the terms of your lease?
We hope to finalize our lease with Teton County in November. We will be leasing units 101, 102, and 103 at 105 Mercill Avenue. We have asked for a 5 year lease with the option for lease renewals up to 30 years.
How much space?
Unit 101 is approximately 1100 square feet, 102 is just under 2300 square feet and unit 103 is just under 1800 square feet.
How do you plan to use all of this space?
We are in the process of working with local architects to map out the new space. In addition to expanded exhibit space and office space for added staff, we are hoping to design 105 Mercill to also accommodate more programs and expanded age ranges.
How will membership be changing?
We do anticipate some changes will be happening to memberships. Our goal is to expand the hours of operations, expand our benefits, and provide greater customization for member experiences to support the children and families of this community. In the meantime, we are relaunching memberships during this Fall transition and will be providing Members with free and discounted programming at JH Indoor and various other locations within the community including Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center. Please check out our membership page or sign-up for our newsletter for more updates.
How will programs change?
We anticipate being able to nearly double the programs we currently offer with the additional space. We are looking into expanding the age ranges we serve with the increased capacity.
Are there going to be staffing changes?
With additional programs and space we plan to have additional staff. We love our educators and hope all of them will continue with us through this transition.
Will you be running a capital campaign?
We hope to raise the necessary capital funds to support this significant move. Our board and staff are reviewing the cost to not only build out the space but also to update our exhibits, invest in staffing, and fund the operations of this facility through a capital campaign. We will definitely be seeking the community's support to help with this transition.
What are you doing this fall?
We are conducting remote programming at JH Indoors from 9am-12pm and afterschool programs, STEAM programs, homeschool programs, movement and creativity workshops, and much more. Please check our Fall Programming page for additional information.
Who else is in the space?
Happy Kidz Daycare was selected for unit 104. We are excited to partner with them and also continue our partnership with the Children’s Learning Center to support the daycare services of this community. The units above this space are intended for workforce housing.
How can I get more information?
Please check out our website for more information. Or contact Ethan Lobdell, executive director, at 307.690.5584.
How can I help?
Sign up for memberships, stay informed through our newsletter, and participate in our programs.
