By KEVIN BERGER, Local Journalism Initiative
A new early learning centre providing 90 much-needed licensed childcare spaces for children between six weeks to six years in age is now operating at the Martensville Recreation Centre (MRC).
The non-profit organization known as BGC (Boys & Girls Clubs) Saskatoon originally announced last summer that it would be opening an early learning centre at the MRC in early 2026.
After extensive preparations, the new centre officially began operation this week.
“We’re so excited to be out here in Martensville,” said Jamie Melnyk, Director of Early Years Programs for BGC Saskatoon.
Melnyk said they have done very well in terms of sign-ups for their programs, and with the addition of a few late families joining in April, they will have effectively filled all 90 childcare spaces.
The majority of their sign-ups are children from Martensville and area, though there are some kids from Warman and Dalmeny who are also enrolled.
Melnyk said the BGC Martensville Early Learning Centre takes up approximately 8,500 square feet at the MRC, with most of that space devoted to classrooms that are for specific age groupings.
It also boasts a kitchen that can be utilized for some of their programming, a sensory space for children who need a break and where a speech language pathologist will operate, a parent space/lobby where the centre’s menus and documentation are posted, a staff room and an outdoor space that can be used as a classroom when the weather improves.
In total, there are approximately 19 early childhood educators and nutrition specialists working at the centre.
To be clear, the Early Learning Centre is a daycare that charges monthly fees to parents, but their curriculum is designed to help children reach developmental milestones, Melnyk indicated.
BGC Saskatoon had not always planned on expanding to Martensville —they currently operate two other early learning centres in Saskatoon — but things changed when another organization’s plans to set up a similar centre at the MRC fell through.
Melnyk said they like to seize an opportunity when it comes up, adding, “We want to help meet the community need (for childcare spaces).”
It should be noted that funding for the centre is partially provided through the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which was signed in August 2021.
Incidentally, BGC has been providing childcare and related services within the Saskatoon area for over 50 years.