BGC Fort McMurray to Open New Daycare Facility in Anzac
(Fort McMurray, AB – September 26, 2022) – BGC Fort McMurray (BGCFM) is pleased to announce the opening of a brand-new, licensed daycare facility in Anzac this November 2022.
The new daycare will be located within the Anzac Recreation Centre and provide approximately 40 childcare spaces accommodating both full-time day care (12 months – 5 years) and out-of-school care spaces (5 – 12 years).
“BGC Fort McMurray is committed to helping families access quality, affordable and inclusive childcare options that are close to home,” says Matty Parlee, Board Chair of BGC Fort McMurray. “We are pleased to be able to expand our programming into the Anzac community and fill a much-needed gap in accessible childcare – a challenge that was expressed to us through various conversations and consultation within the community.”
During the assessment phase, BGC learned that when the provincial $25/day childcare program ended, the community was left with few affordable options from licensed providers. Many families had to secure care in Fort McMurray (nearly a 40-minute drive) or make the decision to stay home. In 2022, with the creation of the Alberta Childcare Affordability Grant, a feasible funding structure became available that would allow BGC to open and run a licensed, affordable childcare facility.
“Until now, we’ve been limited to providing programming within the city limits of Fort McMurray,” says Jennifer Kennett, Executive Director at BGC Fort McMurray. “We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from the community in this venture, particularly the Regional Recreational Corporation who have been huge advocates for this expansion and supporting families living in Anzac. And because the opening of our new daycare facility has largely been a community effort, it’s only appropriate that we also engage the community to help us with its naming.”
BGC is inviting members of the Anzac community to participate in the naming process so that it may reflect the true spirit of its residents and the collaboration that made it possible. Contest details will be announced in the coming weeks.
The opening of the Anzac location will be celebrated in the community with an open house on Saturday, October 29 from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. The event will kick off with an official ribbon cutting ceremony and unveiling of the childcare facilities new name – courtesy of the community naming contest. BGC would like to welcome anyone in the community to attend and check out the new space.
Registration for childcare will open October 1, 2022, and applications can be submitted online via BGC website here.
For media inquires, please contact:
BGC Fort McMurray
Jennifer Kennett, Executive Director
P: 780.791.7775 ext. 6
E: ed@fmbgc.ca