Stepping Stones Pediatric Therapy PLLC plans to open a new clinic in West Spokane following the remodel of an existing building, says Michelle LaMotte, clinic co-owner.

LaMotte says, “We needed more space and something that was more accessible to our families. The space…allows us to provide more services not only for the families on the (Fairchild Air Force Base), but in the surrounding areas on the bus route.”

The new clinic will occupy the entirety of a 19,100-square-foot former gym and retail building, located at 1515 S. Technology Blvd.

Baker Construction & Development Inc., of Spokane, is the general contractor for the $1.9 million project, which is expected to be completed this fall, says Kirk Ledbetter, project engineer at Baker.

Bernardo Wills, of Spokane, is the architect.

Interior design plans call for a generally calming atmosphere with clean pops of color, says LaMotte.

“We’re essentially gutting the entire inside of the building to make it accessible for kids of all abilities,” she says. “We’re making sure we have spaces for equipment, toddler classrooms, a gym environment, and basically remodeling it so that it’s very therapy-friendly.”

LaMotte says there also will be rooms for sensory integration with fiber optics and rooms with suspension equipment to help kids engage.

Stepping Stones provides early prevention services as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, teacher services, and research coordination for families to access services.

LaMotte says the West Plains property is the third location for Stepping Stones in Spokane County. The company also has an 8,000-square-foot downtown Spokane clinic and a 7,000-square-foot clinic in Spokane Valley.

Stepping Stones also operates a home health license to bring services to their patients who are newborns through 18-year-olds.

Stepping Stones has 68 employees, including about 50 therapists, says LaMotte.

Stepping Stones first opened in 2010. The clinic is owned by both LaMotte and co-owner Christina Hodges, who has a doctorate in physical therapy.