Long-standing Penticton child care facility to close, make way for new 80-space centre

A long time childcare centre is set to close, making way for a new 44-space childcare centre in the Penticton Community Centre.

After nearly a decade, Friday will mark the last day of programming for Bugaboo University and the city is hosting a special “Bugaboo Through the Years” tribute this week. It will be able to view in the lobby of the Penticton Community Centre.

“Bugaboo University has been a great partner in early learning programming for three to five year-olds, where children come to learn and explore through play and meaningful interactions,” says Kelsey Johnson, the City’s manager of recreation, arts and culture.

Although the long standing facility is closing its doors, a new child care facility dubbed the Power Street Child Care project will be replacing the service.

The city has entered into a partnership with the YMCA of the Southern Interior for the expansion of the space, which will add 80 new childcare spaces.

That will include 12 spaces for children under three years old, 44 spaces for children aged three to kindergarten age and 24 spaces for school-aged children.

The project is now in the design state, which is being funded by a $2.2 million provincial grant.

The city first began exploring the chance to revamp the space in May 2022 after reviewing the Penticton Child Care Action Plan, which anticipates that the city will need about 770 net new child care spaces by 2030.

Anyone interested in obtaining registration information will be able to enter contact details by mid-2024 with the waitlist opening in fall/winter 2024.

More information can be found on the YMCA child care website.