85 spaces confirmed for new YMCA child care centre

The City has secured $4 million for an 85-space child care centre to go up next to the Park House condominium complex.

To be operated by the YMCA of Northern B.C. it will have enough room for 42 children ages 30 months to school age, and 48 for school-age children.

On the strength of a needs assessment conducted by the City, the provincial government approved $3 million from its Childcare BC New Spaces Fund and a further $1 million is coming from the Union of BC Municipalities Community Child Care Space Creation Program.

To be located above the City's parkade development, construction of the centre will begin soon and is scheduled to be opened in late 2021.

"The development of new child care spaces, particularly in our downtown core, helps to fulfil a critical need that was clearly demonstrated by the city's child care needs assessment," Mayor Lyn Hall said in a statement issued Wednesday.

"This will greatly benefit families in our community and will help to attract families to our downtown neighbourhoods. This investment in child care along with the new condos, student housing, and pool development will greatly improve and enhance our downtown core."

YMCA of Northern B.C. CEO Amanda Alexander welcomed the news.

"The centre will support children to have the best opportunity for early learning through the YMCA national curriculum, Playing to Learn, in a stimulating, accessible and home-like environment," Alexander said.

YMCA's Highland Development Centre, which opened in 2018, provides 84 child care spaces: 12 infant/toddler spaces, 25 spaces for children aged three to five years and 47 spaces for school-age children.

As well, funding was confirmed for 72 new spaces - 24 preschool spaces, 24 school-aged spaces and 24 group multi-age spaces - at the Robson Valley Community Services Society (RVCS) Children's Centre in Valemount.

Scheduled to open in spring 2022, the centre will be on the ground floor of a new women's affordable housing building and will be operated by the RVCS.

The additions bring to 357 the number of new licensed child care spaces funded in Prince George and Valemount since July 2018, according to the provincial government.