Wright-Patt breaks ground on second child development center Published June 5, 2025 By Zion Dillahunt 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Just over a year after breaking ground on its first new child development center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base held a second groundbreaking ceremony June 3 for a facility designed to serve children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. WPAFB currently faces a significant waitlist for childcare, with wait times ranging from six to 18 months. The new center aims to address that demand. “It is a struggle to balance personal life and mission life, and so childcare is a mission-critical unit here on the installation,” said Necoleia Friend, child development director and Child and Youth Programs project manager. “This will allow us to speed up that process and hopefully shrink that waitlist time.” The upcoming center will be the second of its kind in the Department of the Air Force, offering both a CDC and a school-age wing. With a capacity for over 300 children, the facility will provide modern spaces and a supportive environment for military families. In addition to serving families, the new center will create employment opportunities. While current staff will transition to the new facility, additional personnel will be needed to support the expanded program. Staffing needs will vary depending on enrollment trends and age group breakdowns. Staff members will also receive priority placement for childcare. The center is expected to open by summer 2027 and will replace Wright Care CDC on Spinning Road, the installation’s oldest center. “This new facility will help consolidate our folks in Areas A and B,” said Col. Travis Pond, 88th Air Base Wing deputy commander. “It will also allow us to transition away from some of the older facilities and provide a cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, brand-new center to take care of our families. That’s our number one priority.”