Forsyth furious over Teddy Bear closure: Whistler ‘at a crisis point’ for infant and toddler day care
Whistler pique
2009-03-18
By Claire Piech

The daycare debate took a personal twist Tuesday night when Councillor Ralph Forsyth stormed out of the public council meeting absolutely frustrated with the planned closure of Teddy Bear Daycare….

Also, according to the Childcare Needs Assessment Report which council received earlier on Tuesday, Whistler only has daycare space for 6 per cent of the infants and toddlers in Whistler.

"Whistler is really at a crisis point for providing care for infants and toddlers," said Roger Weetman, manager of recreational services for the municipality.

The report said in order to meet future childcare demands, 140 new infant and toddler spaces will have to be made in Whistler, along with 32 group daycare spaces and 45 school-aged childcare spaces.

The report, which was prepared before the Spring Creek facility closed, also recommended that both Teddy Bear and the Whistler Children Centre remain open.

After receiving the report, Forsyth said the childcare crisis is affecting his family as well.

"As a typical parent in Whistler right now, I can tell you I am not sure I am going to be able to come to this job between April and September until my child goes to school, because I have nowhere to put my kid," said Forsyth….