BLDC Construction Seeing Delays Due to Inflation
August 17, 2022
Adriana Keeton
Construction of the new 6,000 square foot building for the Barry Lawrence Development Center (BLDC), located off Chapel Drive in Monett, is seeing delays due to inflation.
Supply chain shortages are making it harder to secure the needed construction materials, which in turn has caused the original proposed budget of $865,000 to soar to over one million dollars to complete the project, which the center currently does not have after several fund raisers, according to Director Lynda Painter.
"As of last Thursday we have raised approximately $850,000 for the new center," said Painter. "Increased supply and material costs has increased our original budget by 20 percent. The outer structure is taking shape and many of the interior features are being added, but the progress for completing the new center has been a struggle with the increased costs relating to the economy."
The current center is 1,500 square feet, which is not enough space to provide educational and therapy services to the twenty preschoolers currently enrolled at the center.
The BLDC has been serving children with special needs and their families for over 49 years. The center provides educational and therapy programs for children to provide them with the opportunity to achieve their individual developmental goals and needs.
The completion of the new facility will allow the staff of the Developmental Center to work with these children and provide greater opportunities for serving current and future families with their children's education and growth.
"We are blessed with the support the community has shown us," Painter added. "We are hoping to get the money we need to complete the center and are trying to approach it in a different way as well. We are asking for volunteers to help with painting and flooring and other things that volunteers are able to do to save on some of the cost."
More fund raisers are in the works as well, with another Trivia Night scheduled for October 21 at 6 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Monett. The center is also selling tickets for the Rick's Automotive Drawing that will be held on October 4, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the BLDC.
If interested in volunteering or for more information on the drawing, fund raisers, sponsorships or donations, contact Director Lynda Painter at 417-235-9803 or stop by the current center at 408 3rd Street in Monett.
Construction of the new 6,000 square foot building for the Barry Lawrence Development Center (BLDC), located off Chapel Drive in Monett, is seeing delays due to inflation.
Supply chain shortages are making it harder to secure the needed construction materials, which in turn has caused the original proposed budget of $865,000 to soar to over one million dollars to complete the project, which the center currently does not have after several fund raisers, according to Director Lynda Painter.
"As of last Thursday we have raised approximately $850,000 for the new center," said Painter. "Increased supply and material costs has increased our original budget by 20 percent. The outer structure is taking shape and many of the interior features are being added, but the progress for completing the new center has been a struggle with the increased costs relating to the economy."
The current center is 1,500 square feet, which is not enough space to provide educational and therapy services to the twenty preschoolers currently enrolled at the center.
The BLDC has been serving children with special needs and their families for over 49 years. The center provides educational and therapy programs for children to provide them with the opportunity to achieve their individual developmental goals and needs.
The completion of the new facility will allow the staff of the Developmental Center to work with these children and provide greater opportunities for serving current and future families with their children's education and growth.
"We are blessed with the support the community has shown us," Painter added. "We are hoping to get the money we need to complete the center and are trying to approach it in a different way as well. We are asking for volunteers to help with painting and flooring and other things that volunteers are able to do to save on some of the cost."
More fund raisers are in the works as well, with another Trivia Night scheduled for October 21 at 6 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Monett. The center is also selling tickets for the Rick's Automotive Drawing that will be held on October 4, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the BLDC.
If interested in volunteering or for more information on the drawing, fund raisers, sponsorships or donations, contact Director Lynda Painter at 417-235-9803 or stop by the current center at 408 3rd Street in Monett.