Havre Head Start getting new parking lots

Northern Montana Child Development Center that runs local Head Start programs received a $220,000 grant to renovate some parking lots.

"Everybody involved in NMCDC is stoked for it," Northern Montana Child Development Center Administrative Manager Kaitlynn Bodner said. "The parking lots we have are either part dirt or mostly dirt. The parking lot up at the Lincoln Center it has a giant sinkhole, not a complete sinkhole, but a hole in it."

The parking lot up at the Lincoln Center is being re-done this week she said.

"I think what we're looking forward to most is the fact that, well, the staff they'll be able to drive without bumps," she said. "It's very bumpy. It's very uncomfortable on our vehicles."

She added that they are also going to be putting in sidewalks and curbs and crosswalks with the parking lot, so they'll be able to use their parking lot to help their students better understand pedestrian safety and watch for traffic.

The week of Aug. 10, she said, the east parking lot of the HRDC building is being re-done.

"I think it's going to be really beneficial for everybody," Bodner said.

The grant came from the national Office of Head Start, she said.

She said they submitted an application last December for a grant that provides a renovation for its entire parking lot.

Some of the funding for the project, she said, will be provided by a program Child Development Inc.

"We're all just excited," she added. "Everybody is really looking forward to having a full parking lot that works and we'll bring education and safety to the whole program."