The Warman Childcare Centre (WCC) is hoping the community will chip in with financial support to help it lease and renovate a former grocery store to accommodate an additional 90 licensed childcare spaces.
The WCC’s discretionary use application to utilize the former Super-Valu building on Central Street for a childcare operation was approved by Warman City Council in January, 2023. The WCC currently operates a 46-space licensed childcare facility adjacent to the Brian King Centre on 8th Avenue North. The addition of the second facility would bring the WCC’s total capacity up to 136 licensed childcare spots.
However, before the WCC is able to sign a lease and begin the expansion, substantial renovations need to be made to the 15,000 square-foot building.
“We’re moving ahead with negotiations on the lease,” said WCC Director Tammy Desrosiers. “But the required renovations will be very expensive; the estimates range from $2.8 million to $3.5 million. That’s money we just don’t have at this point.
“We’re pursuing all our options, including grant applications, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events. But we’re also looking for financial contributions from the public to help make this a reality.
“We’re so close to our goal of getting this up and running. We’re really trying, but we have to be on a solid financial footing before we can take that next step.”
The WCC is a registered charitable organization, so all donations are eligible for a tax-deductible receipt. Desrosiers said the WCC is launching a fundraising and corporate sponsorship campaign this fall, but noted potential donors don’t need to wait till then to chip in.
“People interested in helping can phone the centre at 306-384-1374 or contact us by email at warmanchildcarecentre@gmail.com,” she said.
Desrosiers said there is a pressing need for additional childcare spaces in Warman. It’s not just families with small children who are affected, she added, noting that businesses looking for employees are also feeling the effects when young parents aren’t able to enter the workforce.
“We have about 300 families on our waiting list,” she said. “So unless they’re able to find some ad hoc arrangements for childcare, they’ll be staying home to look after their kids.”
Desrosiers said it’s ironic that at a time when childcare has become much more affordable as a result of an agreement implemented in 2021 between the federal and provincial governments, there is still an overwhelming shortage of licensed childcare spaces in most communities across the province.
“Saskatchewan is known as a ‘childcare desert’,” said Desrosiers. “For every three children eligible for childcare, there is only one licensed childcare spot.
“With Warman being the fastest-growing city in the province, and with so many young families moving here, the need for more licensed childcare spaces right now is critical.”