FERGUS – The Community Resource Centre is seeking funding from the County of Wellington to support the opening of an EarlyON Child and Family Centre in Centre Wellington.
According to a report going before the county’s Social Services Committee on Wednesday, the Children’s Early Years Division is recommending $160,000 in funding be made available for use for remaining renovation costs for the EarlyON Child and Family Centre in Centre Wellington.
Currently, there is no EarlyON Centre in Centre Wellington, although the report states the municipality has a population of 2,400 children from birth through age 6, and overall population is projected to grow by 68.2% by 2041.
EarlyON programmes and services in the township are currently provided at satellite locations including the Belwood Lion’s Hall, Fergus Sportsplex, and Elora Community Centre.
“The Children’s Early Years Division and CRC have identified that families in Centre Wellington will benefit from an EarlyON Child and Family Centre and a prospective location has been identified at the Skyline Community Hub located at 900 Tower Street in Fergus,” the report said.
The proposed floor plan is 2,227 sq ft and will include a dedicated EarlyON programme room, office, and storage room, as well as a common area and a meeting room that will be shared with other services that CRC delivers.
Renovations will cost $247,000, including a 10% contingency.
“The CRC Board of Directors has approved a capital contribution of $88,237 and the Skyline Group has contributed the cost of the HVAC system which is not included in the costing.”
The Children’s Early Years Division will recommend that funds of up to $160,000 be made available for use for remaining renovation costs for the EarlyON Child and Family Centre in Centre Wellington.
Staff says funding will be provided using the County Property Reserve and would not impact the municipal tax levy.
The meeting gets underway at 1pm on Wednesday.
You can read the full report here.
