The Canada and Manitoba governments are investing more than $1.2 million in the new Festival Early Learning and Child Care Centre, which will provide care for dozens of children and their families in Headingley and Winnipeg, Federal Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and Manitoba Families Minister Heather Stefanson announced today.

 

“Investing in our children is one of the most important investments governments can make. The Government of Canada is pleased to work with the government of Manitoba to give more children and families the opportunity to reach their full potential by giving them access to quality early learning opportunities,” said Duclos.

 

Support for this project is being provided through the Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Agreement and Manitoba’s Early Learning and Child Care Building Fund. The ELCC agreement is providing nearly $559,000 in annual operating and one-time start-up grant funding. The Manitoba government is providing up to $600,000 in capital grant funding and more than $38,000 in annual operating grant funding to support school-age child care in the centre. 

 

“Our government is committed to expanding accessible, flexible and affordable child-care options for Manitoba families,” said Stefanson. “Once complete, this centre will be an important addition to the community, with space for children to play, learn and grow together. We are proud to partner with the federal government and the private sector on this exciting project, and look forward to celebrating the milestones to come.”

 

The child-care centre will be located at Red River Exhibition Park, on Winnipeg’s western edge. The design is currently being finalized, with construction expected to begin later this year. Once complete, it will feature 125 new child-care spaces including 12 for infants, 90 for preschoolers and 23 for school-aged children. 

 

“We are honoured to have been a part of this community for 68 years and, as such, have been an important part of many generations of Manitobans,” said Garth Rogerson, CEO, Red River Exhibition Association. “Our board of directors, together with the centre’s board of directors as well as all three levels of government, see the benefits of contributing to the welfare of our community through the improvement of child care.”

 

The ministers noted the Red River Exhibition Association, a non-profit and volunteer-driven agricultural society, is also an important partner in this project. Recognizing the importance of child care to the community and the local economy, the association has donated the land for the project. 

 

“Our centre is very proud to be associated with this important development,” said Kerri Kelly, executive director, Festival Early Learning and Child Care Centre Inc. “Our number one priority remains being committed to improving the lifestyle of families in our community to ensure the current and future well-being of Manitoba children and their parents.”

 

The Festival Early Learning and Child Care Centre previously operated a smaller facility in the community. The new building will offer a net increase of up to 125 spaces in a larger, more suitable location. It will also offer flexible, extended hours of care to better meet the needs of families. It is expected to be complete in 2020. 

 

More information about early learning and child care in Manitoba is available at:

www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childcare.

 

- 30 -