CLOVIS, N.M. - The new Child Development Center was officially activated at a ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 21 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.

The new facility will provide high quality, affordable and accessible childcare for military personnel and their families.

"This new, high quality facility will replace the previous one which was built in 1976," said Col. Dave Piech, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group commander. "This new standard of Air Force design includes 12 classrooms capable of providing 88 additional childcare spaces, a kitchen and laundry room; I may be moving in myself!"

The $7.96 million project was initiated in September 2010. RMA Land Construction from Anaheim, Calif., was responsible for construction of the new CDC.

The CDC boasts new design standards which will ensure all fire, safety and health regulations are met and can allow for future growth.

"This facility is so much more impressive than its predecessor," said Tech. Sgt. Melinda Morris, 27th Special Operations Wing Equal Opportunity office. "This is definitely the future of Air Force Special Operations Command. It's a footstep toward Cannon becoming a premier base."

The completions of both CDC projects will more than double childcare capacity at Cannon from 130 to 326 children between both facilities.

"I really feel as though this new center will provide the state of the art facility needed to better meet the growing needs of AFSOC's newest base," said Morris.

Piech concluded the ceremony by using a dagger, a symbol of AFSOC, to cut the ribbon.

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