DAWSON CREEK, B.C. - Traffic was disrupted on 17th Street in Dawson Creek as construction continues on four new daycare centres across the city.
According to Bill Darnbrough, the City’s Director of Development Services, once complete, the facilities are expected to create an additional 247 childcare spaces across the city.
“In 2022 a childcare action plan was created which led to the formation of a childcare taskforce in 2023,” said Darnbrough.
He added that the effort to get construction started on the new spaces involved a high level of cooperation between Northern Health, City Staff, School District 59, as well as a number of First Nations groups and childcare providers.
Darnbrough credits city staff for the work they put in to expedite the permitting process.
“Daycares are complex projects and staff were able to issue development permits in under six weeks, and building permits in less than three weeks,” said Darnbrough.
🟦 DAWSON CREEK CHILDCARE EXPANSION 🟦
| Facility | Infant / Toddler | Preschool / 3-5 | School Age / 5+ | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tremblay Child Care | 12 | 25 | 24 | 61 |
| Curious Caterpillars Academy | 12 | 50 | — | 62 |
| Kepler Academy | 45 | 35 | — | 80 |
| Nawican Childcare | 12 | 32 | — | 44 |
| Total | 81 | 142 | 24 | 247 |
Of the 247 new childcare spaces, 79 of them will be for children between the ages of 0-3, 187 for 3–5-year-olds, in addition to 48 spots for preschool.
Before and after school care programs are expected to gain an additional 138 new spaces.
According to City Staff, once the new spaces are operational the number of licensed childcare spaces in Dawson Creek will rise to around 700.
There is currently no estimate for when construction on the facilities is expected to be completed.