Navy officials on Tuesday unveiled a new child development center in Murphy Canyon.
With the help of funding from First 5 San Diego, the development center was built at the intersection of Santo and Patriot roads. First 5 is a San Diego County program that assists in the health and well-being of children during their development years.
"Early care and education helps prepare children for success in school and later in life, which benefits the San Diego community as a whole," said Nick Macchione, director of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, in a statement. "First 5 San Diego is honored to support San Diego's military families and their young children by contributing over $6 million to this center."
Macchione said a third of the region's population is tied to the military — making the center critical.
"If we're talking about who our future men and women serving this country both in the armed forces and the rest of the nation, we have to do right for our children," Macchione said.
The center has six classrooms that will provide care for 114 military children. It also has an updated playground, drop-off parking and pedestrian walkways.
"Not only was the center built with support of our military families in mind, it was also built in an environmentally conscientious way," stated Capt. Curt Jones, commanding officer for the Naval Base San Diego.
Officials said they'll be applying for a LEED Silver certification through recycling of demolished material, xeriscaping and specific building designs.
