Backstretch workers have some of the most challenging and vital jobs at Saratoga Race Course. It’s a demanding line of work that can be difficult to balance with raising a family.
A non-profit is stepping in to help in a big way. A daycare is coming to Saratoga Race Course. The non-profit behind the project is the Belmont Child Care Association. The facility will mainly be for the children of backstretch workers.
It will be located near the recreation room on the Oklahoma side of the track. Childcare will cost families just a fraction of what they’d pay elsewhere. The BCCA expects to break ground late this fall on in the spring and possibly opening as early as next racing season.
The BCCA is based downstate and provides services to families who work on the backstretch at all NYRA tracks. Libby Imperio, the group's president, says the building is expected to be 3,500 square feet, and is expected to cost about $750,000 to build.
It’s all being donated by Mike and Lee Dubb. Mike Dubb is a thoroughbred owner and BCCA board member.
When it’s complete, they hope to care for between 75 and 110 children at a time.
“Before Belmont Child Care was built, we were finding children in stalls, in carriages, in the backseats of cars and we just noticed that this was a tremendous need in the backstretch that quality care was needed,” said Imperio.
"At Belmont, they have a beautiful permanent facility, and here at Saratoga, they're aiming to break ground on another permanent facility,” said Pat McKenna, NYRA’s director of communications.
The Belmont Child Care Association also plans to use the facility to expand its literacy program for mothers.