The City of Parksville issued a news release on March 10, regarding renovations underway to the Parksville Community Centre building (132 Jensen Ave.) to facilitate 91 new child care spaces and programming for different age groups, family supports and outdoor recreation space.
On March 14, the city clarified that the centre will soon be home to the BGC Central Vancouver Island (BGCCVI) Parksville Child and Family Centre program, and that BGCCVI will also operate and manage the community use of the centre.
The BGCCVI Parksville Child and Family Centre is the portion of the Parksville Community Centre funded by the grant from the ChildCare BC New Spaces Fund and the Union of BC Municipalities.
READ MORE: Parksville to enter 5-year lease with BGCCVI to operate portion of community centre
The portion of the community centre available to the public for community use will be refreshed and available for bookings when all renovations are complete, which is anticipated for early June. When the Parksville Child and Family Centre is not being used by BGCCVI, efforts will be made to provide access to the entire centre for the general public.
The city’s lease and operating agreement with BGCCVI states the Parksville Child and Family Centre program will operate for the purpose of the child care facility and for accessory community use. The BGCCVI will manage and operate the child care facility on a financially self-sustaining basis, without reliance on any funding assistance from the city.
The Emergency Management Oceanside (EMO) portion of the community centre facility remains under city control.
At the April 11 council meeting, city staff will update council and the public about project.
– NEWS Staff, submitted