Families will see long-awaited improvements to access to childcare when the new YMCA Park House Care and Early Learning Centre opens in Prince George in March. In 2020, the Province of BC and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) announced they were supporting the City of Prince George in the creation of 85 new childcare spaces, including 25 group childcare spaces for ages 30 months to school age, 48 school-age spaces, and 12 infant/toddler spaces. The new facility is located downtown across from City Hall and next to the Park House Condominium and will be operated by the Northern BC YMCA.
“This is absolutely huge for local families and is a big step toward filling a critical childcare gap in our community,” said Lyn Hall, Mayor of Prince George. “Council joins families in their excitement that these dozens of new spaces are now available. We are grateful to the Government of BC and UBCM and thank them for this much-needed investment. We also thank the YMCA as the new operating partner. This new facility will help attract families to our downtown neighbourhoods and, along with recent new condo, hotel, student housing, and pool developments, it will greatly improve and enhance our downtown core."
Data collected by City staff in recent years in preparation for the City’s Childcare Action Plan has revealed a high-degree of need among residents for increased childcare spaces for all age groups, but particularly for infant, toddler, and school age care. Families reported experiencing significant difficulty in accessing care according to their specific needs, with downtown spaces and spaces in the Hart neighbourhood being particularly hard to secure.
“Thanks to all the child care professionals who are working so hard during this challenging time across the Province. This partnership between the YMCA, the City of Prince George, and the Province will bring more affordable, quality child care spaces to families in Prince George. The 85 new child care spaces will allow parents to go back work or school and secure a better future for their families,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “Since 2018, we have funded nine child care projects to create close to 400 new child care spaces in Prince George as part of our 10-year Childcare BC plan to ensure all B.C. families have access to quality, affordable child care.”
The project was made possible thanks to the City's successful $3 Million grant application to the Province's Childcare BC New Spaces Fund. The City also received $1 Million through the Union of BC Municipalities Community (UBCM) Child Care Space Creation Program for 12 infant/toddler spaces, bringing the total number of licensed spaces to 85.
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.
“The YMCA of Northern BC is thrilled to be operating a much-needed childcare centre in our downtown community,” said Amanda Alexander, CEO of the YMCA of Northern BC. “The YMCA believes that childcare is important to children and families as our national child care curriculum supports the best possible outcomes for early learning through our best practice playing to learn curriculum. Furthermore, locating child care near parents and caregivers' place of employment ensures that families have more time together outside of the workday.”
The new centre is already popular with families. For those interested in learning more about the centre, including how to register, please contact the YMCA’s Coordinator of Child Care Administration, Natasha Tupper, at Natasha.Tupper@nbc.ymca.ca
In addition, construction is starting this year on a new childcare facility at 6776 Dagg Road in the Hart that will feature 60 spaces. The facility will be operated by the Prince George Native Friendship Centre and is expected to open this summer. This is an important development, given the limited number of licensed childcare spaces in the Hart neighbourhood.
The City is also investigating the possibility of constructing an additional childcare facility at 8008 Malaspina Avenue in College Heights. If approved, the facility would be operated by Kool Cats Kid Care, and open in 2023.
$3.6 Million project on time, on budget
Construction of the YMCA Park House Care and Early Learning Centre began in April of 2021 and was completed this month on time and on budget. The City contracted Colliers Project Leaders to manage the project. This was among 10 actions taken by Council following the completion of the Park House parkade, which was completed roughly $10 Million over budget due to a variety of external market factors.
“Colliers Project Leaders was pleased to work with the City of Prince George’s outstanding staff to help complete this development on time and on budget. We were especially pleased to contribute to the City’s first major project since Council renewed its commitment to improving the City’s project management processes,” said Colliers Project Manager, Tino Mbara. “Colliers Project Leaders was also thrilled to provide its services for such an important development for downtown Prince George, the community at-large, and for children and families in particular.”