Work has officially begun on an expansion project that will create 80 new child care spaces at the Penticton Community Centre.

Construction will take place on the site of the former Bugaboo University over the next few months as the City of Penticton and the YMCA of the Southern Interior BC partner to expand the facility.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 and will include 12 places for children under 3 years of age, 44 places for children from 3 years of age to kindergarten age and 24 places for school-age children.

“We recognize the importance of quality care for parents, children and the overall health of the community,” says Jamie Lloyd-Smith, the city’s social development specialist. “This is an exciting partnership that will help meet the need.”

The “Power Street Child Care” project, as it is called, is supported by a $3.9 million grant from the Government of British Columbia.

“We applaud our partners, the City of Penticton, for their vision and support of nonprofits like the YMCA as we work together to support our community,” said Frine Guenter, Senior Manager of Child Care at the YMCA.

“Together, we have increased the number of high-quality, safe and affordable nonprofit child care spaces, benefitting not only children and families, but also the local economy.”

According to the City of Penticton, excavators are currently on site and the playground behind the community center is currently closed so construction can begin.

The expansion is taking place against the background of the city wanting to achieve its goal of having 722 childcare places by 2030.

Including afterschool care offered by School District 67, the city is on track to reach 60 percent of its goal by the end of 2024.