More daycare options are coming to the region with a new facility set to open this fall
The Boys and Girls Club Fort McMurray (BGCFM) has announced Anzac will be home to a new, licensed daycare facility.
Matty Parlee, Board Chair of the BGCFM, said the Anzac Recreation Centre will house the new daycare, which will fully open in November.
“BGC Fort McMurray is committed to helping families access quality, affordable and inclusive childcare options that are close to home. We are pleased to be able to expand our programming into the Anzac community and fill a much-needed gap in accessible childcare: A challenge that was expressed to us through various conversations and consultation within the community.”
The new facility will provide 40 childcare spaces, including full-time daycare for children between 12 months and five years of age, and out-of-school care spaces for kids aged five to 12 years.
BGCFM Executive Director Jennifer Kennett said they spoke with families about daycare in Anzac.
She said many had few affordable options when the province ended its $25/day childcare program.
Some had to drive nearly 40 minutes to the lone BGC childcare center in Fort McMurray on Riedel Street.
Kennett credited the 2022 Alberta Childcare Affordability Grant, which is also known as $10-a-day childcare.
This allowed the BGC to open and run affordable childcare in Anzac.
“We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from the community in this venture, particularly the Regional Recreational Corporation who have been huge advocates for this expansion and supporting families living in Anzac. And because the opening of our new daycare facility has largely been a community effort.”
She added it’s now only fitting community members in Anzac assist in choosing a name for the facility.
Details for the contest will be available in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, residents can attend an open house for the Anzac daycare on Oct. 29, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The event will feature a ribbon-cutting, and the unveiling of the center’s new name.
Registration will open online starting Oct. 1.
