LISTEN: Tyler and Alex Rupe’s conversation with The Flag’s Scott Hennen
OTTERTAIL, Minn. – An Ottertail, Minnesota couple was frustrated after calling 25 childcare providers to find a spot for their son, so they started a childcare center themselves.
The Ottertail Family Center is a nonprofit started by Tyler and Alex Rupe. It’s something many towns with a population around 600 don’t have. They’re using four two bedroom, one bathroom townhomes for childcare centers. Providers can rent them for $750 a month which includes utilities, lawn care and snow removal.
“We really wanted to keep it affordable so that it’s allowing for our providers to really grow and thrive and make a livable wage. Then also pass that savings onto families,” Alex Rupe explained on “What’s On Your Mind?” on The Flag.
Two providers have worked in the family center for less than one month and the other two have been there for a week. The Rupes hope to have all slots for children full in the next two months.
The Rupes are also behind the 19,000 square foot Ottertail Community Center which, once open, will have a high school-sized basketball court that can be broken up into three pickleball courts, an elevated walking track, senior center and indoor kids play area. Classes for children and adults are planned.
The family center and community center are made possible by donations from people and companies and grants.
The Rupes have heard good things from neighbors about the community center.
“[They’re] just excited to have an amenity like this in general. People are really ecstatic about it, but also just a place to go and move and have a space where they can be active,” Alex Rupe said.
Click here for more information on the Ottertail Family Center and the Ottertail Community Center.
