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By Pete McIntyre
Was set to open Sept. 1

Major setback for child care centre

Aug 28, 2019 | 12:32 PM

A new child care centre under construction near Lavington is having to alter plans and renew fundraising efforts after a setback.

The Bridge Educational Society may have to pause construction and postpone its opening after organizers learned from the regional district it will need a $200,000 water holding system to support firefighting on its campus in Whitevale.

“In order to gain occupancy permits from the Regional District of North Okanagan, the society was informed it would have to install tanks to hold one quarter million (250,000) litres of water so firefighters can pump from them in the event of a fire,” a news release from the society said.

The society expected to open its 63-space facility next month, but is now looking at financing options and seeking donations.

The society broke ground on its new 6,250 square foot Early Years Centre in April and hoped to offer infant toddler, preschool and afterschool spaces for 63 children by Sept. 1, 2019.

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“As a temporary solution, the society has opened a room at the adjacent Okanagan Waldorf School to offer early years care with limited spaces and hours until the centre can open,” the release said.

The group is asking local businesses and individual donors to consider support for the facility, including naming opportunities for rooms and play areas.

“To date, the society has been successful in raising nearly $1.4 million toward construction costs, including securing $750,000 in grants from the B.C. Ministry of Child and Family Development and Community Gaming.”

You can find out more here.

by Pete McIntyre
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