207 new childcare spaces are in bound for the Parksville and Lantzville area in the next year-and-a-half. (Shutterstock)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

education

More than 200 new child care spaces coming to Parksville and Lantzville

May 19, 2021 | 10:36 AM

NANAIMO — Parents struggling to find child care spaces in Parksville and Lantzville should be able to breathe easier.

The province announced funding for 207 new child care spaces in the two areas, with 137 dedicated for Lantzville and 70 in Parksville.

The spaces are licensed and subsidized.

Many of the new Parksville spaces will be at the Community Centre and operated by BGC Central Vancouver Island, formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island.

BGC executive director Karen Love told NanaimoNewsNOW parents in the area feel a significant crunch when it comes to child care.

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“There’s currently only 371 spaces in the Parksville area for about 985 children. There’s only 29 spaces per 100 children.”

Love said increased childcare capacity leads to greater stability through the community as parents don’t have to worry about taking time off to care for children.

“You need good quality child care but you also have to look at the hours offered. We’re open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate as many parents as we can and help them get back into the workforce.”

The spaces at the Parksville Community Centre are anticipated to open in January 2022. The site is currently used as an Island Health vaccination clinic.

Additional child care spaces are expected by August 2021 at the Craig Street Commons, operated by SD69.

A total of 137 spaces are inbound for the Lantzville area, with 85 coming to the Nanoose First Nation and a further 52 built at Seaview Elementary to be operated by SD68.

Both are expected to be open in the fall of 2022.

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