The new Patuxent River Child Development Center (CDC) was formally opened Wednesday with an official ribbon cutting. The new 38,000-square-foot building began accepting children from infant to five years last month. It can accommodate 360 children and its opening eliminates nearly three-quarters of the installation’s childcare wait list.

The former CDC building will now be renovated and it will be able to accept additional children when that is completed. More than 100 employees will work in the new CDC building.

The ceremony before the ribbon cutting was held under a tent in front of the building to protect attendees from the rain. Children and employees from the center attended the ceremony and helped with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of Flag of America.

Patuxent River Naval Air Station Commanding Officer Capt. Ben Shevchuk praised the support from the community that led to the $15.5 million building. He credited previous commanding officers for pressing for the facility; former CO Capt. Stephen Schmeiser (USN-Ret) was in the audience for the ceremony. He also thanked the county commissioners for their support. Commissioner Todd Morgan (R: 4th) attended the event

Capt. Shevchuk also praised the families who use the center who he described as a cross section of the Pax River community.

The building is energy efficient (with a LEED Silver designation) and has anti-terrorism measures built it.

The guest speaker at the ceremony, Sheryl-Marie Dunaway, wife of NAVAIR Commander Vice Admiral David Dunaway, worked at one time at the center in its previous building and was able to speak first- hand about the work done there by the teachers and other staff. The couple has been married for 31 years and she has moved 17 times during his career and has been involved with 11 MWR facilities over that time. She currently operates a dance studio in the community.

Dunaway said the day was more than just about a building but those professionals who occupy it. “You are the architects of our students’ ability to learn,” Dunaway said of the CDC teachers.

Dunaway singled out for praise Phyllis Leighton, NAS Pax River Child and Youth Programs (CYP) director: Leighton has been the CYP Director since 1985. She oversees the CDC programs, School Age Care, Youth Center and the Child Development Homes Programs.  Dunaway said the new CDCV building is Leighton’s legacy.

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