It was four years ago, roughly, that Ann Silberman, executive director of the Bowen Children’s Centre (BCC), observed that the needs of local parents started shifting to require more care for children under three. The Centre got the appropriate licensing, to allow up to four two-year olds (now increased to six), and has been working to accommodate the ever-growing need since. Now, preparations are being made to begin construction on an infant-toddler wing for BCC to accommodate eight full-time positions for children two years of age and under.
“In the past four years, there have been two rounds of government funding we’ve applied for and we were rejected on both our applications,” says Silberman. “We have a lot of part-time families, which makes us different from other communities and is perhaps the reason we were overlooked. But there is a real gap in care for the time when families finish up their maternity/paternity leaves, and it is only growing.”
Silberman adds that following the BCC board’s approval of the project, the Centre received a private donation of $50,000 as well as a Bowen Island Community Foundation Grant of $10,000. She is hoping that another $75,000 in provincial funding will come through for the project so that the burden of the cost is not carried by the parents.
The new wing will add 933 square feet to the BCC building, and stretch out from the current pre-school space and the area that was, formerly, Silberman’s office. This space was determined to be not only the best, but the only location that would work for the addition, but it required a development variance permit from the Municipality to relax the front yard setback from 7metres to 3metres.
Limited space to the Carter road side of the existing building, which is THE best and only location (programatically speaking) to fit the addition on site.
Architects Vince Knudsen and Elena Vilis (who also happen to be parents of young children) are responsible for the design of the new wing, alongside Manny Trinca of Trinca Architecture.
Parents Iain Mitchell and Greg Cormier will take the lead on the construction of the new wing.
Silberman has already vacated her office, and yard is being prepared this week to begin construction.
“We know the children will all be fascinated by the work that is being done,” says Silberman. “So we plan to incorporate that into some of the daycare and preschool programming.”
If all goes well, the new wing will be up and running by March of 2018. AND if you wish to get on the waitlist for the new birth to three wing – call 604-947-9626 or email [email protected]
