May 17th, 2016
FORT ST. JOHN – BC Hydro and School District 60 have reached an agreement that will create 37 new childcare spaces in the new elementary school in Fort St. John. BC Hydro will contribute $1.8 million to School District 60 to build the new childcare centre as part of the new school, which is targeted for completion by spring 2018.
"The funding agreement with BC Hydro and School District 60 demonstrates how partnerships can create lasting benefits for the region," said Mike Bernier, Minister of Education and MLA for Peace River South. "This funding will create much-needed childcare spaces for the community, while also helping local families working on Site C construction."
During project construction, Site C workers will have shared priority access to roughly half of the childcare spaces, alongside community families.
"We're very pleased to be able to provide a childcare centre as part of the new school," said Ida Campbell, Chairperson, School District 60 (Peace River North). "When the new school opens in 2018, it will have the added benefit of helping working families with childcare."
The provision of additional childcare spaces in Fort St. John is a condition of the Site C project's environmental approval.
"During the environmental assessment process we proposed funding childcare spaces in Fort St. John to help working families participate in the construction of Site C," said Diane McSherry, Vice-President and Project Director, Site C. "We're really pleased to have been able to work with School District 60 to make these childcare spaces a reality."
The new childcare centre will be owned and operated by School District 60 and will offer lasting benefits beyond the Site C construction phase.
"It's very important that a project like Site C provide long-term benefits to the local community," said Pat Pimm, MLA, Peace River North. "I'm pleased to see initiatives like the childcare centre that will benefit local families."
Quick Facts:
Once built, Site C will provide clean, reliable and affordable electricity for more than 100 years.
BC Hydro Media Relations
604-928-6468