Virden’s largest daycare, Funshine Early Learning Centre Inc. has been awarded $2.2 million in provincial and federal government funding for an expansion project that was put on hold almost two years ago. The building plan is to create 66 additional childcare spaces in a new building constructed on Virden Junior High School grounds.
MLA for Arthur-Virden Doyle Piwniuk made the announcement Friday, April 6 at VJH with Funshine Expansion Committee members, school board members and VJH Principal Don Nahachewsky on hand to receive the news.
Both the federal and provincial governments will equally share in the project cost.
Piwniuk said, “Our government’s mandate for child care is to shorten wait times, increase access to licensed child care spaces and foster better outcomes for children. And we’re taking steps to meet those goals.”
Persistent expansion committee
In December of 2011, with her new baby just days old, Shelby Rampton was part of the committee to expand daycare in Virden. They held their first fundraiser that month.
Jillian Irvine, along with Rampton, is co-chair of Funshine Expansion. Back in 2011 they were on the Funshine board and have been part of the fundraising campaign from the start.
“It was through the success of that fundraiser we thought, ‘we can do more than just a band-aid solution’, which would have been to add on to Funshine (existing facility),” says Irvine.
Thinking big, the committee devised a plan to continue using the current Funshine building on Oxford Street and to build a completely new facility.
Together, both Funshine facilities will offer 101 childcare spaces in Virden, in addition to the before and after school program and the pre-school program.
Pressure for care
Irvine says lots of babies were born in 2010 and 2011. This put pressure on the waiting list for childcare.
“When we started the process in 2011, our coordinator told us it would be a five to seven-year process. Luckily, we didn’t believe her,” says Irvine, laughing. “We were naive. We were too stubborn to quit [fundraising].”
This means there is a bank account established, ready and waiting to supply what the $2.2 million doesn’t cover – things like equipment, toys and supplies for the new facility.
Money in the bank
Irvine said several things brought confidence in the expansion project.
“With any major fundraiser, in order to have people stop and listen to you, you have to be ahead. You have to have money in the bank and have a plan.”
The community has been behind their efforts too.
“Fortunately we had the school division behind us from day one. Virden Area Foundation, the Lions Club, and the Town of Virden - we were able to put together this nucleus of support.
“Along with a couple of successful fundraising events that turned into annual events for five years, all that combined, led us to ultimately get the first announcement of public school (provincial) money.”
However, that money was not dispersed to the Virden project before there was a change in the provincial government.
“The money was promised, but it never passed through the Treasury board,” Piwniuk explained.
Now the province will administer the funds through the Manitoba Department of Families.
“When we formed government,” says Piwniuk, “We inherited a billion-dollar deficit. Our cabinet ministers and premier had to look through everything... we had to investigate everything.
“Now we are trying to invest money where we can get the best return socially and economically for the province.”
“Families will come here.”
Rampton and Irvine didn’t try to conceal their excitement to finally have a green light for the project.
“Employers are going to benefit,” said Irvine.
“It’s a circle effect, right?” said Rampton. “Families will come here. Employers will have workers.”
“What’s the first thing young families look for?” Irvine pointed out. “Good schools, recreation, childcare, jobs.”
“Now we just have to find workers,” said Rampton.
“The wait list hasn’t gone down.” Rampton says there are 140 kids waiting for an opening at daycare.
The new facility will provide 12 infant and 54 preschool spaces at Funshine Early Learning Centre at Virden Junior High.
Almost two years ago the Funshine build was projected to cost $2.2 million; whether or not the costs have risen is, as yet, undetermined.
