MACHIAS – University of Maine at Machias officials said Monday the school has launched a bid to raise $170,000 to build an early childhood care and education center on campus.

Barbara and Ken Manchester, co-chairs of the capital campaign, said the child-care facility is a critical component of UMM’s Center for Lifelong Learning.

And UMM President John Joseph said the early childhood care and education center is envisioned as a model, with child care managed by a local professional agency. In addition to assisting nontraditional students by offering child care, the project is designed to create a setting in which UMM academic programs across disciplines may focus on early childhood development and behavioral science.

Not since the closing of the campus elementary school more than 20 years ago has such a setting been available at UMM, Joseph said.

The university has already developed an aquatic and fitness facility and a bookstore and Internet cafT in its $3.6 million Center for Lifelong Learning. The child-care center would be associated with the Lifelong Learning Center.

Money to pay for the facilities has come from private and foundation sources, including the Kresge Foundation, the Libra Foundation and the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation.

UMM officials said the latest cost estimate for UMM’s child-care center is $420,000. To date, $250,000 has been raised, including $200,000 through a Community Development Block Grant. The campaign needs to raise $170,000 before the project can be put out to construction bid, according to Susan Palmer, UMM’s development director.

The Early Care and Education Center will be a collaborative effort by UMM and the Washington Hancock Community Agency, which will run the center, and the town of Machias.

More than 20 years ago the agency was invited to the campus of Washington County Technical College in Calais to provide preschool child care for 12 children. Today, that service has been expanded to accommodate 40 children, including those enrolled in Head Start.

Stewart Brecher Architects of Bar Harbor developed a preliminary proposal for the single-level structure to be constructed across the access road from the Center for Lifelong Learning complex. It will have play areas for infant-toddler ages and preschool children, a central office, crib room, kitchen, bathroom facilities and storage space.

For information, contact UMM at 255-1327.