ABOYNE – Representatives from municipal, provincial and federal governments as well as local community members gathered at the Wellington Place Child Care and Learning Centre on Nov. 10 for the unveiling of its new expansion.
The $1.8 million expansion was designed by +VG Architects and adds 1,500 square-feet of new space with room for 15 toddlers.
Centre Wellington Ward 3 councillor Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy said child care is an important service but it’s also a big step forward to dedicate resources towards a child’s formative years.
The County said the funding was supported by the Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund and the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Start-Up Grant.
Lustgarten-Evoy calls it an “essential” partnership between the government sectors.
Wellington-Halton Hill MPP Joseph Racinsky and Wellington—Halton Hills North MP Michael Chong were in attendance for the ribbon cutting; Racinsky said this expansion helps address a vital service.
Both Racinsky and Chong were podium speakers at the event, alongside County Warden Chris White and current Centre Wellington Mayor Shawn Watters.
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- Ashley Vanderlaan speaks to the crowd | Mik Horvath
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- Vanderlaan said they expect to be licensed next week, but otherwise the expansion is complete | Mik Horvath
Ashley Vanderlaan, the County’s Director of Children’s Early Years, was also a podium speaker and later said in an interview that child care is the “absolute backbone and foundation” of the community.
Vanderlaan said the design of the new expansion reflects a modern approach to child care, which is tapping back into our roots.
The expansion also features tall windows with plenty of natural light to share as well as muted earth-tones used to paint the walls and finish the furniture.
