EGGHARBOR TOWNSHIP – Progress continues on the Learning Center at Greentree Church, 125 Schoolhouse Road. The exterior is complete and the interior walls have been primed.

The Greentree Learning Center is an 8,400-square-foot addition for preschool children's ministry. Having recently built elementary classrooms and refurbished the Youth Center, this final stage of the church master plan is devoted to the youngest part of the congregation.

The Learning Center will provide six classrooms dedicated to the care of infant through kindergarten age children in one convenient location that is easily accessible to parents in the Worship Center. It includes classrooms, restrooms, a nursing room for mothers, and worship service viewing areas. Communications will be available from each room to other key locations in the church to assist parents and enhance safety and security.

A spacious open area will include a welcome center with check-in security for children as well as a larger meeting location with multi-function capabilities. Another classroom will provide the opportunity to develop a special needs ministry for children.

This new classroom wing will wrap around a protected outdoor play area for pre-school children. Spacious hallway windows will provide an abundance of natural light as well as allow parents to observe their children at play.

The Learning Center has been designed to be energy efficient, including energy efficient lighting activated by motion sensors as well as energy-efficient windows. Classrooms will be individually controlled for heating and air conditioning.

Dan Mascione is the architect and John Mirenda Construction is the general contractor.

Construction cost is estimated at $1.4 million. Ocean City Home Bank is providing a construction loan for part of that cost. Occupancy is anticipated by late spring of this year.

Greentree Church is a non-denominational church located at 125 Schoolhouse Road between Zion Road (Route 615) and Somers Point Mays Landing Road (Route 559) in Egg Harbor Township.