It’s a shame but the economics of the situation have forced decision makers at the St. Christopher Preschool in Marquette Township to announce that the facility will close its doors permanently at the end of the school year.

The popular preschool and daycare has been in operation for more than 25 years. It employs six teachers and about 75 children ages 3-5 years attend. Its summer program serves slightly more.

The problem isn’t students. Apparently there are enough of those to keep things going. The problem is the building, which was constructed in 1965 and is about 7,844 square feet in size. It’s in need of repair, something the school and St. Christopher Parish, which sits across Badger Street from the school, can’t manage.

Parents of children are scrambling to find suitable and affordable daycare, a challenge, we are told, in and around the Marquette area. We wish them the best of luck.

We respect the decision that’s been made in this case, as difficult as it was. It’s one of those unfortunate cases where there doesn’t seem to be any reasonable alternative.