EXCERPTS
Penticton is getting closer to opening 116 brand-new child care spaces in Kiwanis Park.
The 7,500 square foot project on Edmonton Avenue has hit the "lock-up stage," meaning all of the windows and doors are installed and the building can be locked.
The $2.95 million project is a partnership between the City of Penticton, OneSky Community Resources, the Province of British Columbia, and Union of BC Municipalities, and will feature six child care rooms, kitchen equipment, office spaces and storage rooms.
It is part of an ongoing push to provide child care spaces in the city, a desperate need.
“We have heard from businesses across Penticton that child care is a huge challenge for their employees. This important partnership will help deliver more child care options in our community to benefit both local businesses and families," said Mayor John Vassilaki.
The municipality is providing a 60-year lease and access to Kiwanis Park, OneSky will operate and maintain the centre, and the Province and Union of BC Municipalities are providing most of the capital funding.
The new centre is due to open in November 2022. Final steps include installing the exterior of the building and finishing and furnishing the interior. Final landscaping will also be done in Kiwanis Park in the spring.
"This child care facility is one of many projects underway throughout B.C thanks to our ChildCareBC plan to build a future where affordable, quality and inclusive child care is a core services families can rely on," said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care in B.C.
Any parents interested in more information about the waitlist for the facility can email childcare.waitlist@oneskycommunity.com.