Better place for children

WASILLA — Ground has already been broken, but on Tuesday The Children’s Place marked the occasion of the start of its expansion project.

“We couldn’t wait to do the actual groundbreaking because, as you know, in Alaska the winter comes pretty quickly,” said the center’s executive director, Jen Burkmire.

Two dozen or more Alaska State Troopers, child advocates and well-wishers gathered at the center for a light snack and a ceremony complete with golden shovels.

The center opened in 1999 and is something of a one-stop shop for families with children who are victims of sexual or physical abuse or neglect. Children can have medical examinations done there and talk to peace officers who will prosecute their abusers.

The expansion will provide a place to house the Alaska State Troopers’ child abuse investigative team. Burkmire said the center will actually lease space to the troopers. The space includes a handful of offices, a conference room, a “communications closet” and a bathroom.

Burkmire said the process of expanding has been going on since 2005. She said troopers approached her saying, “We need more space for our investigators. We’re running out of space at the Palmer Post. What do you think? Can you help us out?”

Trooper Colonel Audie Holloway said the expansion is a good idea.

“Most times when you try to put disparate agencies together it doesn’t work very well,” he said. Turf battles break out. Squabbling ensues.

But this is an exception, he said. With child abuse, everyone knows who the victims are and helping those victims is paramount, and “everything else is forgotten.”

After her remarks, Burkmire led a tour of the expansion, which is currently a roof over exposed studs. She said she expects the addition will be open Dec. 1.