SECRA Early Childhood Development Center
Newport News, Virginia
Overview
The SECRA Early Childhood Development Center was designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality early childhood education while supporting workforce development throughout the region. Serving approximately 200 children from infancy through age five, the facility also functions as a hands-on training environment for students enrolled in Virginia Peninsula Community College's Early Childhood Education program. Thompson Consulting Engineers provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing, construction administration, and commissioning services for the new facility, integrating geothermal-served water source heat pumps, energy-efficient building systems, and sustainable design strategies that support LEED v4 certification. The completed center provides a healthy, secure, and welcoming environment for children, educators, families, and future early childhood professionals while delivering long-term operational efficiency and environmental performance.
Challenges
- Designing a dual-purpose facility that accommodates secure, age-appropriate childcare environments while supporting collegiate training programs required careful coordination between safety, functionality, and flexibility.
- Providing superior indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and acoustic performance for infant and early learning spaces required specialized mechanical and plumbing system design.
- Integrating geothermal-served water source heat pumps and other high-performance building systems to achieve LEED v4 certification required careful coordination while maintaining long-term operational simplicity.
Goals
- Create a safe, healthy, and flexible learning environment that supports both early childhood education and collegiate teacher training.
- Integrate high-performance mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems that enhance indoor air quality, occupant comfort, and long-term energy efficiency.
- Deliver a sustainable facility that achieves LEED v4 certification goals while minimizing operating costs and long-term maintenance requirements.
Project Team
- Owner: City of Newport News
- Architect: Quinn Evans
- Structural Engineer: Lynch Mykins
- Civil Engineer: VHB
- Contractor: M.B. Kahn Construction Co., Inc. – McKenzie Division
Results
- The completed facility provides a modern, healthy learning environment that supports early childhood development while expanding educational opportunities for future educators.
- Energy-efficient geothermal and high-performance building systems reduce operating costs while supporting the City of Newport News' long-term sustainability initiatives.
- The center serves as a lasting community asset by addressing regional childcare needs, supporting workforce development, and delivering durable, efficient building systems designed for decades of service.
