The City has identified several opportunities for interested citizens to learn more about plans for a new child care facility to replace Edmonton Avenue Centre in Kiwanis Park. The engagement activities are being conducted as part of the process required by the Park Land Protection and Use Policy to add child care as a permitted use in Kiwanis Park.
“With the success of the $2.9 million grant to replace the Edmonton Avenue Centre building with a new child care facility, we are ready to move forward with the remaining steps in the process,” says Social Development Specialist Adam Goodwin. “This proposal will make a big difference on the child care shortage in Penticton and we are excited to start discussions with the community.”
Residents adjacent to the park will receive a letter and handout in the next few days informing them about the proposed facility, the need to amend the zoning in the park, and opportunities to get involved. All members of the community can learn more through the following activities:
- Background materials, an online forum for questions, and a feedback form are now available at shapeyourcitypenticton.ca. Feedback will be collected until Nov. 29.
- An online Information Session* is scheduled for November 21 between 9 am and 10 am. A link to the session is available at shapeyourcitypenticton.ca.
- An in-person Open House* is planned for Nov. 25 at the Edmonton Avenue Centre location between 6:30 and 8:30 pm.
*Registration is required for these events. Email getconnected@penticton.ca or call (250) 490-2586 to participate.
OneSky Community Resources will also be in attendance at the events. The City has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with OneSky to build and operate the proposed child care centre.
Feedback gathered through these activities will be shared with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee at their meeting in December. The committee will be asked to make a recommendation to Council on whether or not to amend the zoning of the park to include child care as a permitted use.
At the same time as this proposal is moving forward, the City is working on a strategy to identify and address child care needs in the City. The City recently conducted a survey of Penticton families and learned that of the 386 families who responded, 83% have found it difficult to find child care and 46% have been on a wait list for 13 months or more. The action plan will be shared with the public this January.