Smart Start Rowan, a local nonprofit, celebrated the grand re-opening of the Rodney W. Queen (ELRC) Early Learning Resource Center on Thursday.
Queen has been a strong supporter of Smart Start through the years and was instrumental in ěcutting through the red tapeî to make this opening possible, according to officials.
Mary Ponds is a current director and former chairwoman on the Smart Start board.
The early learning center, at 1839 Jake Alexander Blvd. W., is open to the public Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are a wide range of educational play items available for children birth to 5 years old. Many of the theme kits are available to be signed-out on loan.
Check out the website at www.rowan-smartstart.org or call 704-630-9085.