Construction of The Laurel Center Moved Forward | Winchester Star

The Laurel Center is building a new facility for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Construction of the project is being completed in two phases, each of which will cost about $1.5 million. The first phase involves completing the building’s shell, and the second phase includes the interior build out. Winchester-based Howard Shockey & Sons is the project’s general contractor.rnrnThe new 20,000-square-foot facility will have three floors with an elevator. The first floor will provide offices and group rooms, which will allow the center to expand its education and outreach programs. The second floor will be exclusively for the shelter and will have eight bedrooms, six bathrooms, a large kitchen, a living room and teen and childrens rooms. The third floor will remain unfinished for maximum flexibility in responding to future needs.rnrnThe new building will increase the number of people the facility can serve from the current maximum capacity of 16 people to 40 or 50. The existing center helps an average of 180 to 220 women and children a year, and turns away 80-90 families each year because it it too full.rnrnSource: Winchester StarrnrnThe Laurel Center empowers and supports victims of domestic violence by providing emergency housing, advocacy, support services, and education. Contributions for the new building may be sent to The Laurel Center Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 14, Winchester 22604.rnrn