BGCCVI takes over a revamped Parksville Community Centre to provide much-needed childcare services to begin in September. (Freepik)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

new era

Parksville Community Centre re-opens, new daycare operator to address high local demand

Jun 25, 2022 | 5:22 AM

PARKSVILLE — A new primary tenant for the re-vamped Parksville Community Centre (PCC) has moved in as City Hall attempts to gain increased value from the facility.

A long-term lease agreement for BGC Central Vancouver Island sees the non-profit organization gain occupancy for a 91-space childcare facility on Saturday, June 25 at 132 Jensen Ave. East.

BGC Central Vancouver Island (BGCCVI) executive director Karen Love said sharing the renovated facility with other groups is a win-win situation.

“Parksville was definitely identified as having a lack of childcare and also for the City of Parksville they want to encourage more families to come to the area, that’s part of their strategic plan,” Love said.

What’s known as the Parksville Child and Family Centre is now fully subscribed, with a waiting list already forming.

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Love said their programming has 37 spots for children under five-years-old and 54 positions for children between five and 12-years-old.

The facility begins serving children and their families in September with before and after school programing and early years daycare services.

“We have some kids in our programs right now, we’ve had them since they were born and now they’re heading off to high school. That’s a great thing for BGC and for the staff to have such an impact on these kids’ lives over so many years.”

Government subsidies are available for eligible families at the licensed facility.

A community celebration at the facility takes place on Saturday, June 25 between 10 a.m. and noon, which includes kids’ entertainment, games, storytelling, refreshments and a tour of the updated facility.

BGCCVI is also hosting a hiring fair on-site between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

In the fall of 2020 Parksville City Council announced its intentions to work with BGCCVI to operate childcare services in the PCC.

The PCC was closed at the end of 2020 after the operating agreement between the City and the society running the facility was not renewed.

The City received a grant of more than $2 million in May 2021 to complete significant renovations to the PCC.

For several years City councillors in Parksville have expressed concerns about the costs to operate the facility.

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