Submitted by Regional District of Central Kootenay
A new child care facility to be built on the grounds of the Castlegar and District Community Complex (CDCC) will provide 30 new child care spaces for local families.
The project is being delivered through a partnership with Kootenay Family Place (KFP) and the Regional District of Central Kootenay’s (RDCK) Castlegar and District Recreation Commission (CDRC). The new centre is expected to open in September 2021.
The RDCK, CDRC and KFP, with funding support from Columbia Basin Trust (CBT), successfully applied to the province’s Childcare BC New Spaces Fund to support the new, licensed spaces in Castlegar.
“The child care centre will be an important facility that will serve the residents of Castlegar and surrounding areas for years to come,” said Bergen Price, Chair of the Castlegar and District Recreation Commission.
“The partnership between the RDCK and the operator (KFP) is central to the success of this project. We want to thank Columbia Basin Trust for their support and thank the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development for recognizing the need in the region by way of financial support for the project. Thank you to the recreation commissioners for their efforts, coming together to make this a reality.”
“Access to quality child care for parents in Castlegar is so important and needed. This will give local families the opportunity to participate fully in the economy,” said Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West. “These spaces are part of the more than 20,000 new licensed child care spaces we’ve funded around the province to give children a safe place to learn and grow for generations to come.”
In addition to the 30 new spaces, the facility will offer 20 licensed pre-school and after-school spaces, providing part-time care in the mornings and after school. The Castlegar and District Community Complex will have access to the facility for programming and school break camps when not in use for child care. A child care project committee has been formed with representatives from the RDCK and KFP in order to ensure a cohesive and mutually beneficial facility.
READ MORE: Province increases seats for health care assistant, early childhood education at Selkirk College
“In partnership with the RDCK, together with financial supports from the Ministry of Children and Family Development, Kootenay Family Place continues to be able to enhance family supports for our ever changing and diverse communities,” said Jim Fisher, Executive Director at Kootenay Family Place.
“Thank you to all the members of the project committee for their collaboration and endless hours of support, throughout the planning process this past year.”
KFP is a registered non-profit organization serving the needs of children, youth and families throughout the West Kootenay Boundary region.
In June of 2020, Cover Architecture was awarded the contract for design services for the child care centre. The design is a standalone building situated across from the skate board park adjacent to the complex pool, facing south. Along with the building, a new playground area will be developed, which will be open to the public after child care hours and on weekends.
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
