Former school to house new child-care spaces
Prince George Citizen
March 26, 2008
By: Bernice Trick

After five years of standing empty, Highland elementary school will come to life as a hub of child care and family services.

By September, the Family Y will offer 77 new child-care spaces in the school that was closed in 2003.

On Tuesday, the B.C. government provided about $500,000 to help create multiple-age spaces for children from infant to 12 years, which includes spaces for 25 children 30 months and older, 12 for children 36 months and younger, 20 for preschool children and 20 for after-school care. It will also offer occasional child care and be the base for the Kanannaq children's summer camp offering week-long sessions for $190.

About $250,000 of the funds from the Ministry of Children and Family Development capital funding program goes to the Family Y to develop the programs, and $249,000 will be used to renovate the space….

"It's much more than just child care," said Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Mount Robson. "As a community hub, it will bring a number of services together in one place, and increase choices for Prince George families."

Lyn Hall, chairman of the Prince George school board, said the project, which will make a "meaningful difference" to families in the Highland area, is an example of success of partnerships in a community. "We offered the building, the government offered the money and the Y offered the programs," said Hall.

Pat Flack, president of the Family Y board, expects the centre, which helps address a major gap in local child care, "will provide a good model" for other places in B.C.

Along with child care, the plan includes consideration of space for organizations such as MFCD, Northern Health, the city and some minor sports. The school also has a quality gymnasium to will allow for a number of programs and services.

Work is to begin shortly on the centre, expected to be ready to accept children in September.