Aboyne, Ont. – The County of Wellington officially opened the Wellington Place Child Care and Learning Centre expansion project today.
The $1.8 million expansion project, designed by the award winning +VG Architects, began a year ago and adds 15 new toddler spaces to the centre. The expansion was made possible by the Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund and the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Start-Up Grant.
“The need for more affordable, licensed child care spaces has never been more critical,” said Warden Chris White. “On behalf of Wellington County Council and the residents we proudly serve, I would like to thank the Governments of Canada and Ontario for the generous investment which has made this expansion project possible.”
The 1,500 square feet addition was added to the existing 6,000 square foot building. An additional child care classroom, activity room, and modifications to some of the existing child care spaces adjacent to the addition are part of the expansion project. +VG Architects worked hard to ensure that the addition matched the design of the original building that opened in 2019.
“The Wellington Place Child Care and Learning Centre expansion adds 15 new toddler spaces in a high-need area,” commented Linda Busuttil, Joint Social Services and Land Ambulance Committee Chair. “There is still more work to do to increase access to licensed child care spaces across Guelph and Wellington County, but the opening of this expansion is definitely a step in the right direction.”
“We know the first five years are a critical period of a child’s development. It is during these years that children build the foundations for lifelong learning, healthy relationships and emotional well-being. This is why investments into the licensed child care and early years system, like this expansion, matter so much” said Ashley Vanderlaan, Director of Children’s Early Years.
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Media Contact:
Ashley Vanderlaan, Director of Children’s Early Years Division
519.837.3620 x 3846
ashleyv@wellington.ca