There will be 97 new child-care spaces built next to Colwood Elementary School by the fall of 2024.

The project is Indigenous-focused and a ground-blessing ceremony took place Monday (June 26) to celebrate the much-needed spaces in a growing community.

B次元官网网址淭his is a critical piece of infrastructure,B次元官网网址� Sooke School District interim board chair Amanda Dowhy said at the event. B次元官网网址淭his new child-care facility will be grounded in culture, trauma-informed and offer school readiness programs to Indigenous and non-Indigenous families and children. When we work together, we can achieve great things for our communities and our children.B次元官网网址�

The Hulitan Family and Community Services Society will be operating the child-care facility.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been dreaming to open this place for years,B次元官网网址� said Kendra Gage, the societyB次元官网网址檚 executive director. B次元官网网址淲e were looking for a spot that we could bring babies in and children in and show them a really cultural and loving way of growing up. This is labour of love. IB次元官网网址檓 really excited.B次元官网网址�

The project is being managed by MB次元官网网址檃kola Development Services.

B次元官网网址淭his is incredible,B次元官网网址� MB次元官网网址檃kola Development Services chief executive officer Kevin Albers said. B次元官网网址淎 thriving community needs educational institutions and daycares. How can you allow families to go and pursue education and employment opportunities if you donB次元官网网址檛 have safe and affordable child-care spaces?B次元官网网址�

The City of Colwood is providing $311,667 for the facility and this will take the form of fee reductions and a grant contribution.

ALSO READ: Why Sooke School DistrictB次元官网网址檚 budget jumped by $17.5M