Lenox Children's Center to Permanently Close August 31 Amid Unaffordable Building Repairs

LENOX — March 25, 2026 — Lenox Children's Center will close August 31, ending decades of child care at the Old Center Street school building. The Select Board's Wednesday meeting was dominated by a joint statement, read aloud by board member Ed Abrahams and co-authored with center leadership Marianne and Donna, confirming the privately operated center had exhausted all relocation options and that building repair costs exceed what either the town or the tuition-dependent center can finance. Four residents addressed the board during public comment, including Rebecca Lee of 383 East Street, who said the nearest available spot she found on an outside provider's wait list placed her family at number 21, and Michael Lucia of 261 Old Stockbridge Road, who said the town's vacant fire station and police station should at minimum be explored as alternatives: "Doing nothing isn't acceptable." Karen Labanero submitted written questions asking whether the town would extend the August 31 deadline, explore donated roofing services, and disclose its plans for the building after closure. The board took no action on child care and voted unanimously only to approve a routine license manager change for 33 Maine LLC at 33 Main Street.