The city of Penticton is hosting a couple of information meetings about the proposed child care centre in Kiwanis Park.
On Sept. 18, the city received a capital grant totalling $2.9 million from the Child Care BC New Spaces Fund, which is planned to be used to replace the Edmonton Avenue Centre with a new child care facility with 116 full-time childcare spaces.
OneSky Community Resources will lead the design, construction and operation of the new building.
READ MORE: Penticton receives $2.9 million in child care
The City is offering several opportunities for interested citizens to learn more about plans.
Residents adjacent to the park will receive a letter and handout in the next few days informing them about the proposed facility, the need to amend the zoning in the park, and opportunities to get involved. Feedback forms are now available at shapeyourcitypenticton.ca. Feedback will be collected until Nov. 29.
An online Information Session is scheduled for Nov.21 between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. A link to the session is available at shapeyourcitypenticton.ca.
An in-person open house is planned for Nov. 25 at the Edmonton Avenue Centre location between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
“With the success of the $2.9 million grant to replace the Edmonton Avenue Centre building with a new child care facility, we are ready to move forward with the remaining steps in the process,” says social development specialist Adam Goodwin. “This proposal will make a big difference on the child care shortage in Penticton and we are excited to start discussions with the community.”
Horgan stopped by the Penticton Safety Village during his campaign tour to talk about the NDP government pledging the $2.9 million in upgrades.
READ MORE: Horgan talks child care in Penticton
At the same time as this proposal is moving forward, the city is working on a strategy to identify and address child care needs in Penticton. A recent survey of 386 Penticton families found 83 per cent have found it difficult to find child care and 46 per cent have been on a waitlist for 13 months or more. The action plan will be shared with the public in January.
Registration is required for these events, and can be done by emailing getconnected@penticton.ca or calling 250-490-2586. OneSky Community Resources will also be in attendance at the events.
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