Naval Base Kitsap held a groundbreaking ceremony Jan. 14 for the new Cascades Child Development Center in efforts to expand childcare for military families in the area.

The CDC will have eight classrooms for a total of 92 children. The center will be located where three temporary, mobile learning centers previously were at Jackson Park in Bremerton, which only had space for 72 children.

“Some of the children helped dig the shovels in and throw the first scoop of dirt,” NBK public affairs officer Chris Stanis said. “The completion of the Cascade Child Development Center will increase NBK’s childcare capacity to 722. Kitsap County lacks sufficient childcare capacity and affordable pricing due to the high demand, so the completion of this construction project is extremely important to the Navy mission and family readiness.”

Construction is currently nine months ahead of schedule, NBK shared in a Facebook post. The facility is set to open in 2027.

“The Navy remains committed to supporting the well-being of service members and their families, and this project is a key step toward meeting the growing demand for quality childcare in the region,” NBK shared in the post.