Construction of a new childcare center and fieldhouse in Mahon Park began with a groundbreaking ceremony today.
The project is being funded by nearly $2.7 million from the British Columbia government. The new facility is expected to be operational by early 2025. It will include a childcare center with a fenced outdoor play area, modern, accessible public restrooms and bookable changing rooms. The new childcare centre will add 37 licensed childcare spaces–12 for children 0-3 years old and 25 for children 3-5.
In a press release, CNV said the facility has been designed to be close to City of North Vancouver recreation amenities such as sport courts, Splash Park, playground, skateboard plaza, synthetic turf sports field, exercise equipment, rubberized track, and natural area trails. The Greater Vancouver Region YMCA BC will operate the childcare center, which is part of the City’s Child Care Action Plan. The plan aims to create more than 1,000 new licensed childcare spaces by 2031.
City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan said access to affordable and licensed childcare is a significant challenge for young families. She added that this often results in parents, especially women, leaving the workforce, which weakens the resilience of the economy and community health.
“The City is committed to working in partnership with the province and non-profit providers to create new spaces that support the well-being of children and the lives of working parents. Today’s groundbreaking is a significant milestone in our commitment to deliver new affordable spaces and a healthier City,” she said.
The new fieldhouse will feature six public washrooms, two of which will be universally accessible, and two new team changing rooms, each with its bathroom and three showers. The outdoor area south of the fieldhouse will include an open, covered space for year-round park programming.
The park will remain open during construction, and temporary washrooms have been provided.
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