It appears Burnaby has given the go-ahead to build a new child care facility near city hall.
A total of 74 spaces at the facility now approved for Rowan Avenue will be added to the city's network with a tentative opening by spring 2025.
First priority is set to be given to city staff and Burnaby RCMP, according to a news release today, Oct. 5, with local families set to fill the rest of the spaces as needed.
The city explained its decision to build the $8.1-million child care buildings recognizes the "lack of reliable child care" and how it "can present barriers to equity in employment."
"Our Child Care Action Plan outlines how access to high-quality child care service is critical for the healthy development of young children and their families," said Mayor Mike Hurley in the same statement.
"We're committed to continuing to find innovative solutions and work with our partners to develop even more spaces to respond the urgent needs of our growing community."
Two one-storey buildings are set to be constructed at the Rowan Avenue location, consisting of two infant-toddler programs (ages zero to 36 months) and two for preschool (three to five years old).
In late August, Burnaby mayor and council initially rejected a plan for a $11.4-million facility across from city hall, and asked staff to further cut costs to the project.
The new cost, the city said, is aligned with the costs for the more than 230 licensed child care spaces at other facilities it's built in the last half decade.
According to Burnaby's Child Care Action Plan, the infant-toddler group was identified as "the most underserved age group" in the community.
The city originally budgeted $5 million to build the project, but the plan recommended by staff asked for an extra $6.6 million to be taken out of the Burnaby Lake Aquatic and Arena facility and the Willingdon Brentwood Community Centre projects, which are both currently delayed.
For more information, you can visit the City of Burnaby's child care page.
- with files from Lauren Vanderdeen, Burnaby NOW
