City of Vernon and Boys & Girls Club sign operating agreement for new child-care facilities

Photo: City of Vernon

The City of Vernon and Boys & Girls Club Okanagan have inked an operating agreement for the city's two new child-care facilities currently under construction.

The facilities have been going up beside the Vernon Recreation Complex and adjacent to Lakers Clubhouse in Okanagan Landing. They will be owned by the city and operated by BGC Okanagan.

Mayor Victor Cumming and Jeremy Welder, CEO of BGC Okanagan, signed the agreement Monday.

In total, nearly 200 new licensed child-care spaces will be available when the facilities open in September.

“We are thrilled to see the construction of these facilities progressing quickly, and that the BGC team is ready to start programming in the fall,” Cumming says in a press release. “We’re certain these new spaces will help offer peace of mind and assistance to many local parents who are balancing the busyness of working, or going through school or training, while also raising children.”

The rec centre facility will include 124 care spaces (24 infant/toddler spaces and 100 spaces for children aged three to kindergarten), while the Lakers site will include 74 spaces (24 infant/toddler spaces and 50 spaces for children aged three to kindergarten).

“We are excited to continue to partner with the City of Vernon to increase service to the community,” said Welder. “These new centres will provide much needed childcare to the City of Vernon now and into the future.”

Parents looking for information about program registration for the new spaces can email BGC Okanagan at [email protected] or phone 250-542-3121.