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YMCA Childcare Centre officially lands at Kelowna International Airport

The centre provides 86 spaces for children five years old and younger
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Representatives from the City of Kelowna, KF Aerospace, Kelowna International Airport, the YMCA Southern Interior of BC, and the provincial government cut the ribbon on the new YMCA Childcare Centre at the airport as some of the children look on. (Gary Barnes/Capital News)

Kids, parents, and dignitaries were all on hand for the grand opening of the YMCA Childcare Centre at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) on Thursday (Nov. 16).

The centre provides 86 spaces for children five years old and younger and is a partnership between the YMCA Southern Interior of BC, the City of Kelowna, the province, YLW, and KF Aerospace.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 good for families, itsa国际传媒檚 good for children, itsa国际传媒檚 good for the economy, itsa国际传媒檚 good for employers,sa国际传媒 said Grace Lore, Minister of State of Childcare. sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 happy to announce that dozens of local families and airport staff are now benefitting from this gorgeous new facility.sa国际传媒

The city received approximately $3.8 million from the province to build the facility which is operated by the YMCA.

sa国际传媒淎s we officially welcome this facility and the much-needed childcare spaces to our community I know many families working on the YLW campus and throughout Kelowna share in my gratitude for this incredible support,sa国际传媒 said Mayor Tom Dyas.

KF Aerospace Chief Corporate Services Officer, Grant Stevens, noted that childcare was a significant challenge for many women continuing their careers with the company.

sa国际传媒淲e would hire, they would have a family and then we would lose them.sa国际传媒

Stevens added that KF Aerospace began its vision for a childcare facility a few years ago.

sa国际传媒淚t was from there that the program blossomed. We put together a tremendous partnership with the city, the province, the YMCA, and KF, and wesa国际传媒檙e pretty excited with the outcome that you see behind us.sa国际传媒

Stevens added the company has invested $500,000 in the centre.

David Bond, YMCA board chair, said itsa国际传媒檚 important for parents to have access to high-quality childcare.

sa国际传媒漈here is a sense of confidence that you can go back to work and know that your child is getting quality healthcare and childcaresa国际传媒ut you also know that theysa国际传媒檙e close by.sa国际传媒

YLW Chief Executive Officer, Sam Samaddar, said the airport is honoured to be part of the project.

sa国际传媒淲e are one of the first airports in North America to be able to provide an onsite childcare facility. Itsa国际传媒檚 something that Isa国际传媒檝e been pushing with my colleaguessa国际传媒o start toeing the line.sa国际传媒

Since 2018 the province has funded more than 33,000 new licensed childcare spaces in B.C., with more than 1,700 located in the Kelowna area.

READ MORE: New childcare facility unveiled at Kelowna elementary school

READ MORE: Central Okanagan childcare spaces expanding



Gary Barnes

About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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