City of Williams Lake Urges Community Input on Childcare Facility

 Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake: 

At the Committee of Whole Council Meeting on October 27, 2020, Council considered the concept and budget for a draft application to the Province’s New Spaces Fund, which provides up to $3 million in funding at $40,000 per childcare space. 

A successful application to this fund would secure close to $3 million in capital funds to build a 72-space facility that would serve children in the 6-12-year age group as a before and after school care site. One of the recommendations in the 2020 Williams Lake Child Care Needs Assessment and Action Plan was that the City consider a before and after school care facility to help address the demand for childcare. Staff qualifications for this type of facility differ from the infant and toddler spots that require certified Early Childhood Educators, a skill set that is in short supply not only in Williams Lake but around the province. 

For the initial feasibility stage, the conceptual plan and budget were completed with the assistance of Zirnhelt Timber Frame’s Sam Zirnhelt, who has successfully worked on childcare proposals and has completed project builds with funding from the New Spaces Fund. Analysis included assumptions with regard to the community contribution to the project, specifically the in-kind value of land for the building site. 

The proposed budget utilizes the entire fund that is available for a centre with 72 spaces, equating to $2.88 million. This includes furnishings, appliances, and equipment. The analysis also found the operation of the proposed childcare centre to be feasible at near capacity enrollment. “The question that we wanted to answer was what could we actually do with $3 million,” stated City of Williams Lake Economic Development Officer Beth Veenkamp. 

“As a community with limited capacity in our non-profit sector we find ourselves in a position where the important planning and analysis part of considering a capital project isn’t there. It sounds great to say there is $3 million available, but what does that mean and what could a community group actually achieve with that amount of money?” The analysis focused on a portion of a City-owned property that is essentially deemed to be shovel-ready. 

The building was designed to fit in the parking lot spaces between the Williams Lake Seniors’ Activity Centre and the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex (CMRC) parking lot. The analysis found that there would be a reduction of approximately ten parking spaces for the CMRC. It also found that 15 spaces lost at the Seniors’ Activity Centre could be addressed by reconfiguring the current parking layout. After reviewing the analysis, Council resolved to engage with the community on the merits of putting forward an application to the fund. 

It also directed staff to identify other properties as potential building sites, and consult with the Williams Lake Seniors’ Activity Centre, the Williams Lake Farmers’ Market, and community residents on the presented design. Presentations to both the School District and the Cariboo Regional District were also recommended. 

 “We are looking forward to sharing the results of this work with the community, and evaluating the merits of putting forward an application to the BC New Spaces Fund in a future intake,” said Veenkamp. “As a community we need to decide if this kind of project is the right solution for Williams Lake and the childcare demand that exists.” 

Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb stated, “the City is attempting to be part of the solution to our childcare crisis by providing property for a facility. We look forward to working with the community to determine what will serve the needs of Williams Lake families, and how a before and after school facility could best be operated.” 

 Interested community groups from Williams Lake and the Cariboo region are urged to contact the City’s Economic Development Office for more information on the design. 

“This work was undertaken with a view to move from theoretical to conceptual so that groups can better understand what $3 million could do for a community,” continued Veenkamp. “If this design concept works for another municipality or school district, we are happy to share our findings. We are going to need collaboration and cooperation to solve the childcare crisis that we are facing.”