Lombard day care gets final nod of approval

A new day-care center will open soon in Lombard following the village board's unanimous approval.

Some trustees had a few concerns initially but resolved the issues after meeting with the owners about accessibility improvements.

Creative Day Learning Center, which operated in Villa Park for 26 years, aims to open as soon as possible in the former St. John Evangelical Lutheran School on South Lincoln Street, owner Cheryl Dennis said.

"We're just happy to have approval and to be in Lombard," she said.

Dennis will have to make some upgrades, including adding a chairlift and remodeling a bathroom to make the space she's using accessible for anyone with disabilities. Some fire safety work is required by village regulations, but initial assessments by the DuPage County Health Department, the state fire marshal's office and the Department of Children and Family Services were positive, she said.

She still needs official inspections and approvals from the agencies.

St. John's moved out of the building because it was no longer suitable for an elementary school. The parish built a new larger school across the street.