Kids, parents, and dignitaries were all on hand for the grand opening of the YMCA Childcare Centre at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) on Thursday (Nov. 16).
The centre provides 86 spaces for children five years old and younger and is a partnership between the YMCA Southern Interior of BC, the City of Kelowna, the province, YLW, and KF Aerospace.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 good for families, it含羞草研究社檚 good for children, it含羞草研究社檚 good for the economy, it含羞草研究社檚 good for employers,含羞草研究社� said Grace Lore, Minister of State of Childcare. 含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 happy to announce that dozens of local families and airport staff are now benefitting from this gorgeous new facility.含羞草研究社�
The city received approximately $3.8 million from the province to build the facility which is operated by the YMCA.
含羞草研究社淎s we officially welcome this facility and the much-needed childcare spaces to our community I know many families working on the YLW campus and throughout Kelowna share in my gratitude for this incredible support,含羞草研究社� said Mayor Tom Dyas.
KF Aerospace Chief Corporate Services Officer, Grant Stevens, noted that childcare was a significant challenge for many women continuing their careers with the company.
含羞草研究社淲e would hire, they would have a family and then we would lose them.含羞草研究社�
Stevens added that KF Aerospace began its vision for a childcare facility a few years ago.
含羞草研究社淚t was from there that the program blossomed. We put together a tremendous partnership with the city, the province, the YMCA, and KF, and we含羞草研究社檙e pretty excited with the outcome that you see behind us.含羞草研究社�
Stevens added the company has invested $500,000 in the centre.
David Bond, YMCA board chair, said it含羞草研究社檚 important for parents to have access to high-quality childcare.
含羞草研究社漈here is a sense of confidence that you can go back to work and know that your child is getting quality healthcare and childcare含羞草研究社ut you also know that they含羞草研究社檙e close by.含羞草研究社�
YLW Chief Executive Officer, Sam Samaddar, said the airport is honoured to be part of the project.
含羞草研究社淲e are one of the first airports in North America to be able to provide an onsite childcare facility. It含羞草研究社檚 something that I含羞草研究社檝e been pushing with my colleagues含羞草研究社o start toeing the line.含羞草研究社�
Since 2018 the province has funded more than 33,000 new licensed childcare spaces in B.C., with more than 1,700 located in the Kelowna area.
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