More child-care spaces in Burnaby are a step closer after approval to start a proposal process to select a non-profit operator at a new 66-space centre being proposed at the Christine Sinclair Community Centre.
At Monday's regular council meeting (Oct. 25), council was presented a report detailing the centre, which will see priority given to City of Burnaby and RCMP employees. Any remaining spaces would be offered to the general public.
On May 25, 2020, council approved a recommendation that the child-care centre be located on city-owned property at 6570 Deer Lake Ave., while also approving that a locally-based non-profit operator run the centre.
After more investigation, the city determined that the property wasn't large enough to accommodate needs.
This past January, the city acquired the formerly known Fortius Sports and Health Centre (now the Christine Sinclair Community Centre). They identified a space within the large centre that would be suitable for the child-care centre.
A preliminary design was made for the space in the southwest corner of the building which would have 65 spaces (24 for children aged 0-36 months and 42 spaces for children 30 months to school-aged).
Spaces originally available at the Deer Lake property were 57.
"The city is currently seeking the services of a consultant to design and provide contract administration services during the construction of the child-care centre," the report reads.
On the report dated May 25, it was recommended the centre be operated by a local-based non-profit child care provider, which is similar to the existing child-care centres in the city.
At yesterday's meeting, council approved the proposed request to choose a non-profit operator for the centre that is expected to be ready in late 2022.
"I think it's a marvellous proposal that we're getting in front of council for 66 spaces," Coun. Pietro Calendino said.
"The need is for exactly what is being proposed here, 25 spaces for infants and toddlers 0-36 months and 41 spaces for 30 months to school age. And obviously, this will allow parents to safely leave children at a qualified child-care at Christine Sinclair [community centre] so that they can go to work.
"The report says that priority will be given to our [city] employees if they are requested and if not, they will be open to the general public, so I'm totally in favour and it's good to see it here."
The submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Non-profit status with experience in providing child care services in Burnaby
- Demonstrated ability to operate a child-care facility on a financially viable basis, without requiring operating subsidies from the city
- Proven track record with respect to providing quality child care services
- Intention and commitment to serve the target age groups
- Ability to manage a waitlist for services that gives priority placement to city and Burnaby RCMP employees but offers vacant spaces to the wider community
The city also proposed the following timeline for the selection of an operator::
- November 2021: Launch of request for proposals process
- January 2022: Deadline for submissions
- February 2022: Notification to short-listed applicants
- March 2022: Interviews with short-listed applicants
- April 2022: Report on recommended operator
