MACHIAS – The University of Maine at Machias broke ground for a child care and education center Thursday, the third phase of the university’s $4 million Center for Lifelong Learning.

When completed, the $500,000 facility will serve children in the Machias area and be an integral part of UMM’s course offerings in early childhood education and the behavioral sciences, according to Sue Palmer, the university’s development director.

The center is expected to open next January and will have areas for infants, toddlers and preschoolers and will house 24 children full time and up to 50 children both part- and full-time.

“This is the beginning of a wonderful new era for us,” President John Joseph told those who gathered for Thursday’s ground-breaking. “The facilities of the Center for Lifelong Learning provide a full range of resources for Washington County citizens of all ages.”

The first phase of the capital campaign that began in 1997 was construction of a $3 million Olympic-size swimming pool and fitness center. That facility in the Reynolds Athletic and Education Center opened in December 1999.

The second phase of the project – the George Simpson Murdock bookstore and Internet Caf? – was dedicated in July 2000.

Barbara and Ken Manchester, the co-chairs of UMM’s capital campaign, said many people had contributed to the project.

“These gifts, coupled with foundation, corporate and government grants, have ensured that specific community and campus needs are going to be met at the University of Maine at Machias,” the couple said in a statement.

Among the funding sources was a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant secured by the town of Machias and a $150,000 grant from the Libra Foundation.

Palmer said UMM is contracting with Washington Hancock Community Agency to operate the center. WHCA operates child care centers in Machias and at the Washington County Technical College in Calais.

The center is being constructed by Northern Maine Construction Co. of Bangor and was designed by Stewart Brecher and Associates of Bar Harbor.

The center will house a central office, crib room, kitchen, restrooms and storage space.