The Town of Qualicum Beach has restored the original budget allocation for the Into The Woods child care project.
A grant of $1,996,724 from the provincial government’s ChildCareBC’s New Spaces Fund was awarded to the project in 2020 and the town has provided the land in the community park. But due to COVID-19, construction costs had risen, which led the town to consider drawing $110,000 from the $200,000 included in the town’s budget to cover any contingencies.
Some cost-saving recommendations were made by staff that included eliminating the sprinkler system that would cost $65,000 and reducing the budgets for the furniture, appliance and outdoor space amenities.
But after delving deeper into the elements of the project’s financial plan, the town’s director of planning and community development, Luke Sales explained to council they discovered a discrepancy in the way the town was accounting for the overall budget as opposed to the project manager, which now keeps the project costs within budget.
READ MORE: Qualicum Beach begins construction for daycare in town-owned community park
It was recommended and approved by council earlier this month to proceed with the budget allocation of $2,271,724, which includes restored funding earmarked for landscaping, furnishing, appliances, automatic sprinkler system and a contingency.
Members of council are excited to see the child care centre project advance. Once completed, it will provide 37 new spaces — 12 infants and 25 three to five year olds.
“It’s exciting to see it moving forward and being created there,” said Coun. Anne Skipsey.
Coun. Scott Harrison also supported the recommendation and stressed on the town focusing on getting the facility fully operational.