The long-awaited daycare expansion in Pemberton is edging ever closer to completion. Pemberton’s Children’s Centre said in a Facebook post it had “high hopes” to open the doors for Sept. 3.
In 2019, the Village of Pemberton (VOP) made daycare expansion a strategic priority.
The VOP received $2,771,000 through the ChildCare BC New Spaces Fund for the expansion in April 2022, and site prep work for the expansion began later that year.
However, a funding shortfall emerged. Village staff engaged with ministry officials and applied for supplementary funding. A further $800,000 was awarded as a result in early 2023.
The nearby Nature Play Park and PlayScape structure had to be relocated to allow for the build, sparking debate over reducing green space in Pemberton.
Pemberton’s Children’s Centre asked for the community’s help in finding affordable housing for its staff.
“If you or anyone you know has housing options, please reach out to the centre,” they said. “We will start contacting families on our waitlist once we have a confirmed opening date.”
The Centre said the number of additional daycare spaces being offered will be dependent on how many qualified teachers they can hire.
The expansion will eventually provide an additional 50 childcare spaces for the 3-5 age group, in two new classrooms.
More information about the work on the project to date is available here.
