School District 59 (SD59) is building a new child care centre with 37 new child care spaces in Tumbler Ridge and an additional 37 in Dawson Creek, according to Kim Morris, Secretary-Treasurer for SD59.
The new building will be at Tumbler Ridge Elementary, and will most likely use modular buildings. “We’re still waiting on the design for that,” says Mossis. “It will be modular, but won’t look like a Britco trailer.”
She says the new spaces require a child care partner, so the space will be created together with the YMCA, who run the current day care space. “We always like to make sure we’re providing the best transition we can,” she says. “This way, the preschool kids are on the school ground so when they move on to kindergarten, they’re already used to going to school.
She’s not sure what this will mean for the current space, but the grant is for new spaces, not moving old spaces over.
The District applied for funding in 2022 and secured support for the construction of child care spaces at school sites in two municipalities: Dawson Creek and Tumbler Ridge. The new centres will be located at Tumbler Ridge Elementary School and Tremblay Elementary School, and has $7.95 million to create the spaces through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund.
The spaces will be split evenly between the two communities, with both communities getting a dozen new spaces for children under 36 months as well as 25 spaces for children aged 36 months to school age.
“Tumbler Ridge families will benefit from more high-quality new childcare spaces in their growing community,” said Mitzi Dean, BC’s Minister of State for Child Care. “Improving access to child care spaces gives kids the best possible start and supports parents to plan a brighter future for their families.”
Jenna Sudds, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development says that “by providing families with reliable and affordable child care, our government is helping more families save more money. We are committed to providing affordable, accessible, inclusive and high-quality child care to communities across the country, ensuring all children have the best possible start in life.”
“Child care on school sites assist working families with getting their children to and from school while managing busy schedules. When we extend child care options in our schools, our schools become even more valuable community hubs.” said SD59 Board Chair Chad Anderson.
“I am so excited to see this investment in School District 59 for much needed child care spaces” said Mike Bernier, MLA for Peace River South. “The need for affordable and available child care is paramount in our communities as we work to recruit professionals and their families to our region, as well as supporting those who have been desperately looking for this opportunity.”
While there are no designs yet, according to the grant, the new child care centres will have an office space, full kitchen, washrooms, outdoor learning space and include a wheelchair lift for accessibility.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.