Hough goes from pool to school

• What: Grand opening of Hough Early Learning Center.

• When: 10 a.m. Friday.

• Where: 1801 Esther St., Vancouver.

• Info: 360-750-7500.

• On the Web: http://web3.esd112.org/swccc or www.facebook.com/SWCCCESD

Former use: Hough Pool

o What: Six-lane 75-by-45-foot swimming pool.

o When: Opened 1997.

o Owner: Hough Foundation.

o Cost: $1.2 million paid by Paul Christensen, founder of Hough Foundation.

o Closed: Feb. 28, 2010, due to financial hardship.

New use: Hough Early Learning Center

o What: A state-funded preschool for low-income families that prepares children for public school.

o New owner: Educational Service District 112.

o Building purchase price: $150,000.

o Renovation cost: $1.5 million.

o Designer: LSW Architects.

o Size: About 10,000 square feet.

o First day of school: Sept. 10.

A Tyrannosaurus rex waited patiently with its herd of plastic dinosaur buddies. Crayons stood at attention in plastic cups, waiting for chubby hands to create masterpieces. Primary-colored math links and cubes were ready to teach preschoolers about numbers. The childhood classics “Goodnight Moon” and “Is Your Mama a Llama?” stood by to enchant kids during storytime.

The wait is nearly over.

Friday morning the Hough Early Learning Center will host a public open house. On Sept. 10 the center will open its doors to about 140 low-income preschoolers enrolled in the state’s Early Childhood Education Assistance Program.

The building that was the Hough Pool has been transformed into an early learning center administered by Educational Service District 112, which paid $150,000 for the building and spent another $1.5 million to renovate it.

Last fall ESD 112 received a $1.1 million ECEAP grant from the Department of Early Learning to serve an additional 108 low-income preschoolers in Clark County.

The building’s significant architectural and design elements were preserved, said ESD 112 Superintendent Tim Merlino during a Monday afternoon preview. That includes windows bringing plenty of natural light into the classrooms.

“The exposed wooden beams that were part of the pool were retained and water-themed tiles made years ago by Hough Elementary students grace the entryway,” Merlino said.

Hot meals for ECEAP children will be provided by Vancouver Public Schools. Each weekday, district cooks at Hough Elementary will deliver 160 breakfasts, lunches and morning and afternoon snacks to the center.

The center’s children will share the playground at adjacent Hough Elementary.

Music in classrooms will be provided by the continued partnership of the Hough Foundation and ESD 112.

Scrambling for space

Although the new center will alleviate some of the unmet demand for state-subsidized preschool seats, more than 2,100 eligible preschoolers in Clark County still will not be able to attend preschool due to lack of space. As more schools move toward state-mandated full-day kindergarten, more classrooms are needed for kindergarten, and fewer are available for preschoolers.

“The reality is, everybody’s scrambling for space,” said Merlino. “We will continue to work hard to secure more funding and resources for early learning in our region.”

Although full-day subsidized slots are filled at the new center, about 50 part-day subsidized slots are available, said Kristi Baker, executive director of Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium.

There are 16 slots available for community (unsubsidized) preschool and child care. Full-day preschool costs $33 per day at the unsubsidized rate. The center also accepts a state subsidy from the Department of Social and Health Services.