FORT McCOY -- Using ceremonial scissors nearly as tall as some of the participants, several children, parents and staff members cut the ribbon at the entrance of Fort McCoy’s new $4.8 million Child Development Center (CDC).

Garrison Commander Col. David E. Chesser told the crowd assembled for the grand-opening ceremony the new 13,000-square foot facility in the installation’s 1700 block provides 109 child care spaces.

“The former facility had four classrooms,” Chesser said. “This new facility features eight classrooms and an activity room.”

Chesser said the installation’s original CDC opened Oct. 1, 1988, with a capacity for 52 children. “However, over the years as the installation’s mission has grown, so has the demand for child-care services.”

Construction of the facility took nine months and was completed in late May, Chesser said. “Within days, a semi-truck carrying $55,000 worth of toys and furnishings arrived, and, thanks to the efforts of a transition team from the Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, everything was unloaded and placed in its proper place within the classrooms.”

“The center opened its doors for business Aug. 31 and every child that has been waiting for child care has been able to enter the program and gain access to this essential support service,” Chesser said. “This significantly improves the installation’s ability to support the soldiers, families and civilians who live and work on Fort McCoy ... a facility that demonstrates our commitment to delivery of the Army Family Covenant.”

Army leadership executed the Army Family Covenant in October 2007.

“This evolutionary agreement and commitment was reaffirmed by the secretary of the Army, chief of staff of the Army and sergeant major of the Army Oct. 5, just 14 days ago,” said Fort McCoy Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Glenn J. Lesniak.

Fort McCoy’s senior leadership committed itself to delivery of the Army Family Covenant in November 2007 by executing a symbolic signing of the agreement.

“Today we are here as a community to rededicate ourselves to the covenant, to our pledge to take care of soldiers and their families,” he said.

Lesniak, Chesser and Garrison Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. William T. Bissonette Jr., each signed the covenant, as did their Fort McCoy predecessors nearly two years ago.

“I can think of no better way to demonstrate this commitment than to execute a re-signing of the Army Family Covenant and simultaneously celebrate the grand opening of our new Child Development Center,” Lesniak said.

Lesniak also said that later this year the installation will begin construction of a new $7 million youth center adjacent to the Child Development Center.

The installation also is executing an expansion of the Pine View Campground with the addition of four new log cabins in 2010 with more to follow. An Alpine Slide will be constructed at Whitetail Ridge in 2010, and the installation’s request for construction of a 100-room lodging facility with activity center through a public-private venture remains on track for possible construction in 2011. “These ventures will increase recreational activities and further improve the quality of life on the installation.”

“And all of this is in addition to the $63 million in renovation of World War II wood facilities executed in 2009 to improve the quality of life for the soldiers who train at Fort McCoy,” Lesniak said.