A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 26th for the Clay Center Multi-Generational Life Center. More than 100 people were in attendance, including the CCCHS Tiger Band, employees and daycare attendees of Little Learners Childhood Connection, members of the Clay Center Community Improvement Foundation, the board for Grow Clay County, Director of Community Engagement for Kansas Commerce, Kayla Savage, donors, and many members of the public.
The ceremony included live music from the band, speeches from Grow Clay County Executive Director, Savage, and CCCIF President, Morree Floersch.
A dirt-moving ceremony was also held, including colorful fireworks. A second ceremony was held with children from Little Learners Childhood Connections, who used small plastic shovels to commemorate the event. MGLC logo stickers and cookies were handed out. Grow Clay County President, Monte Green concluded the ceremony.
Through tears, Muruato talked about the history of the project, including the day Grow Clay County learned they had received the initial $3.6 million grant from the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator Grant from the Kansas Children’s Cabinet to fund childcare, education, work-enabling services, health, and internet access. She cited an additional $2 million that had come from local businesses and private citizens.
“That was the beginning of hope and people who refuse to give up even with obstacles at every turn and we are still here today,” she said. “This is not just steel and concrete; it’s the well-being of private partnerships and relentless collaboration. This facility will change lives not just today, but long after we are gone. It’s a reminder that small towns can do big things when we work together.”
Director of Community Engagement Kansas Department of Commerce, Kayla Savage, also spoke.
“Community-driven solutions by and for the community create the best possible solutions,” she said. “This is an example of just that with collaboration across many groups that’s now coming to fruition.” Savage added that she was overwhelmed by the long list of donors for the project and commended the community on overcoming challenges, mentioning that being the very definition of the state: Ad astra per aspera or “through hardships to the stars.”
Next, CCCIF President, Morree Floresch, mentioned that a life center had been in talks back to 2018, thanking Muruato to reviving the idea through the secured grant.
“It’s now strengthened with more partnerships and we can see what’s possible when we all come together,” she said. “Thank you for helping Clay Center write this new chapter in history.”
The dirt moving ceremony included Audrey Waid, Executive Director of Little Learners Childhood Connections; Patrick Hayes, Clay Center Parks & Recreation Superintendent; Brandon Gibson, Project Architect SPT; Donna Long-Lenhart, Jimmy Thatcher, Mayor of Clay Center; Muruato; Bill Oetinger, land donor; Braylee Langvardt, CCCHS YLinK president; Mike Rezkalla MA, MPA, Chief Executive Officer; Floersch; Shellee Frederick with Twin Valley.
Grow Clay County President, Monte Green, concluded the ceremony.
“Natalie Muruato was instrumental in this project. In her short time here she is leaving a legacy that many of us can only hope to achieve in a lifetime,” he said. “Behind that $8 million is public belief in the project. People have limited funds and unlimited needs for those funds, but they made the decision to support this project. In the short term, let’s get this place built and in the long-term, please use it. Energy and vibrancy leads to more vibrancy and that’s what builds the community and the connections.”
