Skip to main content

« Back to News

Childcare center upgrade

August 3, 2023

Teams collaborate on projects to improve UVA-affiliated childcare center

Multiple Facilities Management teams contributed to an expansion and renovation project at the UVA-affiliated Malcom Cole Child Care Center.

A backhoe excavating soil and two Utilities employees nearby
Utilities team members removing the underground stormwater system during the renovation of the Malcolm Cole Childcare Center playground. (Photo by Corey Jones / Facilities Management)

The projects included an expansion of the infant care space and a renovation of the toddler playground. Health System Physical Plant Construction Project Manager John Hennis managed the projects which were completed by HSPP Renovations, HSPP Zone 2 and the Utilities teams.

UVA Health and Facilities Management recently celebrated the completion of the projects with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was featured on UVA Medical Center CEO Wendy Horton's Vision and Voice blog.

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to several individuals and teams who played a crucial role in making these projects a reality,” Horton wrote in the blog. “…Of course, none of the work would have been possible without the incredible effort put forth by our Facilities Management team. They worked determinedly to complete the renovations, and I've heard the kids — along with a few of their dads — loved watching the FM team hard at work, updating their center.”

The HSPP teams work to support the infant room expansion involved removing a wall between two existing rooms, relocating plumbing and electrical utilities, installing new cabinets and counters and painting. The expansion allows the center to accommodate an additional 11 infants.

The Utilities team supported the playground renovation by removing and replacing the underground stormwater system, relocating the domestic water service line and extensive site grading prior to the installation of a new rubber playground surface.

New infant room with cribs and infant-sized furniture
The center’s new infant room following a renovation completed by Health System Physical Plant teams. (Photo by Kay Taylor / UVA Health)

The following employees and their teams were involved with these projects:

  • Derek Wilson, Director of Health System Physical Plant
  • Will Schnorr, Associate Director of HSPP
  • John Hennis, HSPP Construction Project Manager
  • Gary Allen, HSPP Zone 2 Manager
  • Zeljko Bajs, HSPP Zone 2 Maintenance Supervisor
  • Cameron Ratliff, Associate Director for Utilities Distribution
  • Corey Jones, Utilities Manager
  • Richard Hopkins, Associate Director of Grounds
  • Kevin Fox, Director of Facilities Planning and Capital Development for UVA Medical Center

About the author

Jane Centofante
Communications senior generalist
UVA Facilities Management
(434) 982-5846
janecentofante@virginia.edu