CAPILANO UNIVERSITY
University announces new Centre for Childhood Studies

Capilano University (CapU) is pleased to announce the plan for a purpose-built Centre for Childhood Studies on the University's main campus in North Vancouver. Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training Anne Kang and Minister of State for Child Care Katrina Chen jointly announced $6.5 million in funding towards construction of The Centre that will house the School of Education and Childhood Studies and a second childcare facility on January 13. To complement financing from the Province and CapU, the University has launched a capital campaign to engage community support in raising an additional $5 million for the $18.6 million project.

"Quality childcare is inextricably linked to social and economic development. It is a vital support for many families and essential for creating healthy communities," says Capilano University President Paul Dangerfield. "The COVID-19 pandemic increased societal awareness and value for quality childcare, and Capilano University is well-placed to meet the growing needs of childhood educators and local families."

Quick facts:

• $18.6 million - Centre for Childhood Studies capital project
• 23,000 square-foot, two-storey LEED Gold building adjacent to transit and a forested play space
• 74 new childcare spaces, doubling on-campus childcare at CapU for infants and preschoolers
• 20 additional ECE practicum placement spaces

The University's $5 million capital campaign, co-chaired by Derek and Carlota Lee, has been seeded with a lead gift of $2 million from Capilano University Chancellor Yuri Fulmer and his wife Alesia Fulmer. The campaign has also received $500,000 from the Dajvad Mowafaghian Foundation; a $250,000 grant from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, the major philanthropic organization for The Washington Companies, in conjunction with Seaspan and Southern Railway of British Columbia Limited (SRY); and a $150,000 gift from integrated forestry company, West Fraser.

In July 2020 CapU received an additional $2.96 million from the Childcare BC New Spaces Fund. Pending approvals, construction is slated to begin in mid-2022 with the goal of welcoming students and children into The Centre in September 2024.

Project Funding:

• $6.5 million - Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
• $2.96 million - Ministry of Children and Family Development (for childcare centre)
• $4.14 million - Capilano University
• $5.0 million - capital campaign

The new child-centred building - the first major capital project on the University's main campus since the opening of the Nat and Flora Bosa Centre for Film and Animation in 2012 - will be located at the north end of main campus, near transit and adjacent to forest and trails.