Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

It was a long time in the making, but late last month the doors of a new daycare centre in Penticton finally opened.

On Saturday, owner Tina Bootsma joined others in celebrating the grand opening of Kid's Connection at Yorkton.

"It has been a bit of a haul, but it is well worth it," she said. "And we really enjoy being in this neighbourhood."

It was back in September of 2014 that Bootsma purchased the house at 96 Yorkton Avenue with the rezoning starting in October.

Along the way she met with opposition from some residents, who felt a daycare did not belong in a residential neighbourhood, and delays before it finally went to a public hearing in April.

After hearing from neighbours, as well as young families who described being on long waiting lists for childcare, council approved a zoning application to allow the daycare.

It officially opened Sept. 21 and so far, Bootsma said she has had a good reaction.

"Some of the neighbours came and complimented us on improvements on the front of the house, and neighbours have been friendly when we've been out for walks," she said.

The centre has a group day care license for age 30 months to school age and also a multi age childcare license from infants up to and including school age children.

The spacious facility, filled with different learning spaces, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

There are currently 18 children enrolled, and there is room for five more.

Bootsma said she is happy to have the new daycare open, at a time when there is a need for childcare in the city.

"There are more young families moving here that need childcare," she said. "Every other centre is full, but we have room because we are new."