Cranbrook’s council has decided Gyro Park’s grassy area will be the future home of a new childcare facility if funding comes through.
Mayor Wayne Price said Cranbrook is in desperate need of more childcare spaces.
“Cranbrook’s demographics are changing a little bit. We’re seeing young couples and young professionals coming in and there’s a need for daycare,” said Price.
“The current economic situation makes it important to a lot of families that they have both parents working.”
Gyro Park was chosen as the preferred space out of six city-owned properties.
“We wouldn’t have to do a zoning change if this was approved for daycare, because this P2 zoning for a community space provides for daycare, for libraries, a community theatre, a cemetery or even a crematorium,” said Price.
The possibility of losing some park space has sparked some controversy among residents since the initial discussion in council chambers on May 27.
“For elected officials, these are the tough decisions we have to make and we have to look out for the best interest of the community, both long-term and short-term,” said Price.
“We have professionals, like doctors and nurses, who have considered moving to Cranbrook, and one of the first questions they ask is if we have daycare. That’s a deciding factor on whether they come here or not.”
If approved, 100 per cent of the project’s funding will come from the provincial government’s Child Care BC New Spaces Fund.
The application has not been submitted yet, but it will be up for discussion at a future council meeting.
“Our next step is to decide whether or not we’re going to move forward and put the application in. At that point, there will be no going back,” said Price.
“It’s going to be a democratic decision among council members. If they decide they don’t want to support it, then it’s off the table and there’s no change in the community.”
If the application is submitted, Price said grant funding will be the lynchpin in this proposed childcare centre becoming a reality.
“Recognizing there is a childcare crisis here, the city had to look into taking advantage of provincial funding for daycare,” said Price.
An online petition opposing the possible daycare centre location was launched on launched on June 3 and garnered over 400 signatures by June 7
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