Sea to Sky Community Services (SSCS) received an infusion of cash this week from the provincial government, as Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid presented the group with a $50,000 grant for their new childcare facilities in downtown Squamish.
The money is part of the province's Neighbourhood Hub program, a $2.5 million project that is being divided among 22 BC communities.
"Neighbourhood hubs are basically focal points for a community," said Reid, who toured the facility's construction site in the former courthouse on Monday (April 2) with MLA Joan McIntyre.
"They serve as a way for families to serve all of their needs in one location," said Reid. "In this case, the old courthouse is being changed so that families will be able to address all of their childcare needs, from family support services to early childhood development, in one place."
The Neighbourhood Hub funding will allow the facility to have an additional 12 child care spaces, and will allow several childcare programs that are currently spread throughout the Sea to Sky corridor to be moved under one roof.
"It's a little hard to picture now, because the site is still being worked on, but soon this will be a really vibrant place, that will enable families to have so many of their needs met," said McIntyre.
The facility will be divided into a number of sections, with different areas dedicated to infant care, daycare for toddlers, an exterior playground, as well as government services section that will provide information and assistance on accessing provincial child services.
"This new funding allows us to centralize and enhance our services in a location that will benefit the entire community of Squamish," said SSCS executive director Lois Wynne. "Our families will appreciate the convenience of accessing programs for ages ranging from infants to 12, all under one roof."
"This isn't just good news for Squamish, but for the whole corridor," said McIntyre.
Squamish is not the only Sea to Sky community to receive funding under the program. The Mount Currie Band received $198,000 to be used to help expand the Pqusnalhcw Child Care Centre, an existing hub site, adding 14 new childcare spaces.
