A new "state-of-the-art" learning centre is coming to Saanich.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria and the Catholic Independent Schools of the Diocese of Victoria recently announced that crews have started building a new daycare facility beside St. Joseph’s Elementary on Burnside Road West.
Shovels broke ground in February behind the school's gymnasium, and construction is expected to continue for the next 15 months.
The two-storey, 6,880-square-foot space will replace St. Joseph’s aging portable classrooms. The building will also feature an enhanced outdoor play area and dedicated conference area for parish and school gatherings,
Funded through contributions, including almost $3.45 million in federal and provincial funding through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund, $1.5 million from St. Joseph the Worker Parish, and $1.57 million from St. Joseph’s School, the new centre will offer 28 additional licensed childcare spaces for three- to five-year-olds, in addition to 30 spots for school-aged children.
As construction proceeds, a portion of the school will be fenced off and end-of-day student pickup will be reorganized to ensure traffic flows smoothly. Side entrances will be used on the school's gym now and the hot lunch distribution and uniform room will be relocated to the lower floor.
“We’re excited to see ... 58 more high-quality and affordable child care spaces in Victoria,” B.C. parliamentary secretary for child care Rohini Arora said in a news release. "This project will create more access to seamless child care on school grounds, helping women and working families in this community with a one-stop drop off where their kids are safe and cared for in childcare and in school."
