Pikeville Medical Center has purchased the Town and Country Shopping Center in Pikeville with future plans to put in a childcare center for employees.
The hospital expects The Appalachian Valley Angel Academy, or AVA Academy, to have a need for more than 300 seats, based on a survey of employees.
The shopping center and future location currently includes the Super Dollar grocery store and 13 additional tenants.
There have been discussions throughout the community about an impending purchase of the property over the past several weeks and its possible impact on existing businesses, something Pikeville Medical Center President and CEO Donovan Blackburn mentioned in a media briefing Tuesday.
“Our intent has always been to support local businesses and tenants,” Blackburn said. “We are offering favorable terms and longer lease options while maintaining their current lease rates to ensure the support and continued stability for these small businesses.”
Hospital officials said Friday, “The only portion of the shopping center that will be impacted by creating the AVA Academy will be the area where the Super Dollar store is located and one other tenant that is within the boundaries.”
There are now six vacant store fronts without tenants.
Blackburn, who said the region could currently be considered a “childcare desert,” said the daycare would first look to offer childcare options to PMC employees and then see if in the future that could be expanded on.
According to a hospital press release, “The region’s childcare facilities have extensive waiting lists, underscoring the limited availability of quality childcare options in the local market.”
Blackburn said Tuesday, there could be a possible ripple effect that will see seats opening in daycares throughout the area.
PMC has also leased the Pikeville Scholar House, located at the former YMCA daycare site to provide an interim childcare option as of November 1. This new facility is expected to offer up to 75 childcare seats for children ages 12 weeks to five years for PMC families.
The AVA Academy is expected to be operational in January.
