Child centre opens
Trail Daily Times/ Castlegar Current
November 17, 2008

Linda Reid, Minister of State for Child Care, was on hand Wednesday morning to help celebrate the grand opening of Blueberry Creek's newest child-care centre, the Blueberry Creek neighbourhood hub.

"The Ministry of Children and Family Development has given us $80,009 to enhance our neighbourhood hub," said Blueberry Creek Community School coordinator Bev George.

…."We partnered with School District #20, the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy, Kootenay Family Place and Castlegar and District Community Services.

"We also opened a new, ages-three-to-five, group daycare called Blueberry Buds."

George went on to say that provincial funding for neighbourhood hubs is aimed at:… increased utilization of public buildings whenever possible.

"Last fall, we announced ….support the creation of 2,000 additional child-care spaces …. "Over the next two years, more than 2,200 additional licensed spaces are expected to open to serve B.C. families for years to come."

…. "We are always pleased to see such innovative partnerships that find greater community use for surplus school buildings," said Shirley Bond, Minister of Education.

"This approach turns the challenge of declining enrolment into an opportunity to support early learners, working families and communities."….