Newbridge Church Celebrates Downtown Wheeling Childcare Center
Derek Redd Trending
WHEELING -- Chris Figaretti, lead pastor of Wheeling's Newbridge Church, had known for a while that a lack of childcare options was an issue for the community. It wasn't until he took a deeper dive into it that he learned the issue had reached critical levels.
Rather than simply sit back and lament over the problem, Figaretti and the church decided to become part of the solution.
Church members and other community figures celebrated Newbridge's offering in helping solve the childcare problem Thursday, cutting the ribbon on Newbridge Academy for Kids which, at peak enrollment, will be a place for 236 children from infant through middle school.
Newbridge Academy will offer comprehensive infant through preschool programs, as well as daily and afterschool care for children up to age 12.
"We realized how significant (the problem) was, 20-to-30-month waiting lists," Figaretti said. "And we realized we have this building. We can do something.
"The pieces fell together," he continued, "and it became very clear what we needed to do. And the opportunity to do it here in the heart of downtown with the plaza behind us and the playground we were able to build here, it's just a really neat concept we were excited to be a part of."
The new academy is housed at 1000 Market Street in a building originally constructed in 1892. Newbridge Church fully renovated the 26,000-square-foot facility, dedicating 23,000 square feet of it to Newbridge Academy. The other 3,000 feet will go to the NB Cafe, a coffee shop with a Main Street entrance set to open sometime in September.
The facility also has both an indoor and a natural play outdoor playground, as well as several age-appropriate classrooms and a media room. The outdoor playground and coffee shop will be open to the public, the playground being accessible to the public outside of school hours.
"Together, we will create an environment where children feel safe and loved," said Newbridge Academy Executive Director Rachael Goldbaugh, "and we will partner with families to give these children the best start in life that they can have."
New Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder knows from experience the community impact Newbridge Church can make, as well as its dedication to improving the city around them. When Magruder was executive director of the Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority, which gave him jurisdiction over WesBanco Arena and the Capitol Theatre, Newbridge Church -- then known as The Vineyard Church -- approached him to use the Capitol Theatre for its Sunday services.
Magruder said he didn't just gain a tenant, he gained a partner. The church made several significant investments into the theater, and church officials said the theater was welcome to use that equipment whenever necessary.
"This is a cornerstone," Magruder said of the new facility. "Child care is an unbelievable need in our community, and to couple that with the rehab of this building and bringing life to downtown ... having kids here every day and being able to hear their joyous screams ... it's invaluable.
"I just salute and thank the Newbridge Church community," he added. "They not only believe in the spirit. They believe in Wheeling."
The finishing touches are being made on Newbridge Academy and Figaretti said the facility hopes to open in early September, if not sooner. It will start with about 75 children as the staff gets its feet under it.
Figaretti couldn't be more excited for the future of Newbridge Academy and for its impact on childcare options in Wheeling.
"It's kind of surreal," he said. "If you would have told me this would come together, construction-wise, in eight months, I would have said you were crazy. But it really has been stunning to watch it come together. And to be standing here on the precipice of having kids running around in here, there's no better feeling in the world."