New Westminster has 24 more spaces for parents to possibly sign up their young kids.
The YMCA Kids Club inside the Queensborough Community Centre — location at 920 Ewen Ave. — has recently reopened for a new school-age program for two dozen kids.
A provincial grant of $47,566, plus a city funding of $1,726, helped refurnish, retrofit and equip the facility to meet standards for a licensed school-age care centre.
"Child care is an ongoing need in our growing city, but this need is especially urgent in the Queensborough neighbourhood, which is the least resourced area of the city for school age-care," said Mayor Patrick Johnstone.
"The City of New Westminster thanks the Province of B.C. for its funding contribution that helped create these much-needed affordable non-profit child care spaces."
The Kids Club location used to facilitate preschool-aged children, but the provider moved in spring 2023 to a Port Royal facility, at 490 Furness St., to accommodate 37 child care spaces.
Registration is open online for Queensborough-area parents.
As well, an official grand opening has been scheduled for Jan. 24 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. that'll include a free tour, entertainment and refreshments.
According to a news release, before-and-after-school care programs with YMCA Kids Club offer "a safe and welcoming environment to connect with others and participate in productive and enjoyable activities."
