Laughlin Center Begins Campus Renovation

Doug Florey gets a twinkle in his eye when he talks about the renovation project that’s under way at the  Children's Center in Sewickley.

Over the past two years, Florey and staff members watched the center’s client population blossom by about 30 percent. Laughlin serves roughly 1,200 to 1,400 students each year, both at the center and out in the community, offering supportive services in academics, early childhood, speech-language and psychology.

said the board of directors came up with a plan to review the space, three campus buildings and the grounds, to help the center function more efficiently.

“We really needed to look at our existing space to figure out how we could reconfigure so we could see more kids,” said Florey, the executive director.

Finding a plan

The center hired local architect Gretchen Barlett of Barlett Designs, who interviewed all of the employees in each of the departments to find out how the existing space was being used. Bartlett found some space was underutilized.   

“About 10 percent of our space was not being used at all,” Florey said.

The architects came up with a redesign that completely eliminated any unused space and reallocated space. The plans don't change the footprint of the buildings, but still accomplishes the mission. Each of the departments will now have its own suite and the preschool is being relocated to the center’s carriage house, which dates back to the 1800s.

Up until the end of last year, Florey said,  the house was being used in the late afternoons and evenings for after-school tutoring and the front doors were always left unlocked.

“ is a wonderful place, but having fourth-graders and their teachers separate from us with a door that didn’t lock really didn’t sit well with me,” Florey said.

When the carriage house serves as the center’s preschool, Florey said,  the doors will lock automatically and require visitors to be buzzed in. The move also frees up the existing preschool for new office space that will group all of the center’s services and storage space together.

Updating the outdated

Since 1956, Laughlin has served the region based on principles set forth by founder Mary Laughlin, who along with her husband Alexander founded the Fresh Air Home in 1897. Florey said the building has seen much use since then, with thousands of little hands that have passed through. Not only is some of indoor décor outdated, such as a small room used for therapy and tutoring, but some features on the exterior, too.

White picket fencing will be moved to capture more space between buildings. Signage at the corner of Broad Street and Frederick Avenue, which dates back to 1956, will be replaced with a new sign and additional signage at key positions around the campus.

Plans call for new, functional landscaping that gives the center more usable outdoor green space. The playground area is still just grass, but once complete it will be used for  preschool children and other youngsters who attend Laughlin programs.

Green-building principles will be used to construct the natural playground with materials made out of wood, stone and earth rather than metal or plastic. A slide will be built into a mound of earth about 3-feet high, and there will be stairs made of railroad ties. A Big Wheel track will pass under a tunnel made of willow branches.

“This not only gets the kids out for physical exercise, but helps them connect with the outdoor world,” Florey said. “It’s a way to get kids reengaged with playing with the world.”

The play area also will be ideal for parents with younger children who are sitting in the waiting room.

Upgrades ongoing

The Laughlin Center was able to go wireless thanks to a $30,000 grant from the Hillman Foundation nearly two years ago to upgrade computers and phones. Florey said the center went from no voicemail to a phone system with voicemail, along with faster Internet and wireless capabilities. The courtyard can now be used as an outdoor classroom or for waiting families who need to check email.

Florey said the grant funding was “a lifesaver.”

“Without Hillman -- I don’t have $30,000 to spend,” Florey said. “That’s why we have to raise the money for this renovation, too. We just don’t have it in our budget.”

The renovation is expected to cost about $700,000 and has received help from the governing boards and staff, but is relying on foundation and corporate donations, as well as the community's help.

Florey hopes once the project catches steam and the preschool is finished, the community will be able to see the work and step up to help meet the financial goal. 

"The center's really cared for, but everything has a life span," Florey said. 

In addition to the Hillman Foundation, Laughlin has also received grants from the following foundations supporting the renovation work: Gauss Foundation, Dollar Bank, The Pittsburgh Foundation, PNC Charitable Trust, Paul & Nancy O'Neill Charitable Foundation, George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Foundation, Jane Smith Turner Foundation, The Richard King Mellon Foundation, PNC Foundation, The R. P. Simmons Family Foundation, and The H. J. Heinz Co. Foundation.

For more information on making a donation to the Center, call Douglas Florey at 412.741.4087 or email him at d.florey@laughlincenter.org.