Renovation of a 24,000-square-foot childcare facility serving as the Merrimack YMCA’s Early Education Center — the largest single-site childcare program in New Hampshire and the largest YMCA childcare center in the United States.

The design-build renovation transformed a 40-year-old building, originally constructed as a nightclub and shopping center, into a series of purpose-built learning environments serving nearly 400 children across 19 classrooms. Scope of work included updates to classrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen areas, new storage and cubbies, and dedicated spaces for teachers and support staff.

Strategic placement of skylights in high-traffic corridors introduces natural daylighting throughout the center, creating a bright and engaging atmosphere that reflects the reputation of the YMCA’s childcare program.

To maintain daily operations throughout construction, the project was executed in a carefully phased sequence, with renovated zones turned over in coordination with YMCA staff. Working on an accelerated schedule, we delivered the completed facility without interruption to the children and families who depend on it.