Construction will soon be underway at the new Assiniboine Children's Centre in Winnipeg, with a federal-provincial investment of more than $1.8 million, Federal Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Manitoba Families Minister Heather Stefanson announced on June 5.
Families Minister Heather Stefanson (fourth from left, back row) announced government support for the new Assiniboine Children's Centre building and renovations to Ecole Assiniboine School.
"The early years of a child's life are critical to development and well-being. The Government of Canada is pleased to work with the government of Manitoba to ensure more children in the province have access to the kind of child care that will help them get the best start in life," said Duclos.
Capital funding was provided through the Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Agreement. The agreement will also provide nearly $340,000 in an annual operating grant to the centre.
"It's exciting to see this project moving forward, which will soon become a valued addition to the community and the school as well as for families," said Stefanson. "Our government recognizes the importance of accessible, affordable and quality child care. We will continue to make strategic investments that will make a difference in the lives of Manitoba children."
The Assiniboine Children's Centre will be a 4,400-sq.-ft. stand-alone facility on the grounds of École Assiniboine School with 40 licensed infant and preschool spaces. Once it opens, the centre will manage a total of 201 child-care spaces at the school.
"We are thrilled to be able to expand our services to children and their families and to include infant care for the first time in our 40 year history," said Marilyn Valgardson, executive director, Assiniboine Children's Centre. "Through our partnership with École Assiniboine School and St. James-Assiniboia School Division, this new facility will allow families to access care for all their children from 12 weeks to 12 years in one location. As a result, we are able to develop strong bonds and trusting relationships which gives children a strong sense of community and leads to confidence and independence."
Stefanson noted the Manitoba government is also investing more than $2 million at École Assiniboine School to ensure it remains welcoming to students, staff and the community.Work is underway to replace a 9,500-sq.-ft. roof and the building's foundation. Main building entrances are also being replaced to ensure they are fully accessible. This work is expected to be completed later this year.
"St. James-Assiniboia School Division and its board are proud to be part of all of these exciting endeavours such as the new childcare centre that is being built in our community," said Sandra Melo, principal, École Assiniboine School. "A strong partnership such as the one between École Assiniboine and Assiniboine Children's Centre is crucial to keeping the needs of the children and the families in the forefront of all decision-making."
The total cost of the child care project is $2.1 million. Construction is expected to be complete by the spring of 2020. Support for this project was initially announced in April 2018 as part of a commitment to create 780 new child-care spaces through new construction, funded by the ELCC agreement.
More information about early learning and child care in Manitoba is available at: www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childcare.
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