Renovations are underway to facilitate 91 new childcare spaces at the 132 Jensen Ave. property in Parksville.
According to a release issued by the city on March 10, BGC Central Vancouver Island (BGCCVI) will operate the Parksville Child and Family Centre (PCFC) and manage the community use of the building. Along with community access this fall, the centre will continue to be the primary location for local government voting in October.
“The Parksville Community Centre will soon open as the BGCCVI Parksville Child and Family Centre along with community access once again,” said Mayor Ed Mayne.
“We are proud to partner with BGC Central Vancouver Island to provide safe and reliable childcare along with community programming. These past two years have been challenging for parents impacted by the pandemic, and the new accessible and available childcare spaces will help ease the strain for families with young children in our community.”
READ MORE: City awarded $2.03M to complete renovations to the Parksville Community Centre
The release read the centre will be open for summer programs, and in September will facilitate infant, preschool and family programs, as well as before- and after-school programs. Community access to the centre will coincide within this timeframe as the BGCCVI are working with user groups to reserve space.
Renovations will move forward with $2,034,829 in provincial funding from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund and the Union of BC Municipalities.
Building renovations will include enhancements to community-use spaces and construction of new amenities to support the PCFC spaces. A roll-up divider will be installed in the auditorium and new washrooms will be constructed adjacent to the main entrance. Safe and engaging childcare spaces will be constructed in two former meeting spaces, and a ‘teen space’ will be created in an underutilized former storage area.
“Creating more childcare spaces will make a big difference for families in Parksville, and I’m very glad to see these renovations are moving forward,” said Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum.
Minor reconfigurations to the parking lot will be done to add crosswalks and large vehicle parking stalls. Two 24-passenger buses will be purchased to transport children from local schools to the out-of-school care at the centre.
City staff will provide an update on the project to Parksville council at the April 11 council meeting.
– NEWS Staff, submitted