Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

Director of Social Planning in consultation with the General Manager of Park Board and Director, Facility Design & Management

SUBJECT:

Child Development Centre Addition to Champlain Heights Community Centre

 

RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

COUNCIL POLICY

In January 1999 Council adopted an interim City-wide DCL to help pay for new facilities which respond to growth demands. On July 20, 1999 City Council directed that DCL funds collected from the Champlain Mall redevelopment, pursuant to the City-wide DCL By-law, be allocated to facilities on or related to the site as follows:

At that time Council also approved that " should there be a shortfall in the money required to complete the daycare/childcare facilities at Champlain Community Centre, that Council be consulted as to whether the DCL money paid from the redevelopment of Champlain Mall could provide necessary funds for completion".

On July 8, 1999 Council directed that proceeds from the interim city-wide DCL not be assigned to specific capital projects pending completion of the Financing Growth Review, except in those cases where Council approves a comprehensive benefit package where city-wide DCL proceeds are specifically committed.

In April 2002, Council adopted the childcare strategic plan "Moving Forward -Childcare: The Cornerstone of Early Childhood Development Services" as a basis for developing a more collaborative and coordinated approach to child development services.

PURPOSE

This report recommends funding for the Champlain Heights child development centre and identifies the requirements for a Memorandum of Understanding among the Park Board, Champlain Heights Community Association and the City through the Social Planning Department for operational responsibilities.

BACKGROUND

As a condition of 1999 development approval for the Champlain Mall redevelopment, development charges were directed to upgrades and expansion of the nearby Champlain Community Recreation Centre, including a childcare facility of approximately 137.6 m² (1,480 sq. ft.). Since that time staff have worked with the Champlain Heights Community Association to plan for and fund the expansion and to work towards establishing a financially viable childcare program within the Centre. In June 2002 the Champlain Heights Community Association Board of Directors approved a final proposal for a 25-space out-of-school facility and a 20-space licensed preschool for 80 children.

The City has to date, not created purpose built preschool and out-of-school care space so this project represents an opportunity to expand the range of early child development programs. "Moving Forward", the City's Civic Childcare Strategic Plan sets out a vision of a comprehensive and coordinated range of services for children 0 to 12. The creation of a preschool and out-of-school program, which is linked to other childcare services in the community, for example the adjacent licensed care centre for 3-5 year olds and the local community school (kindercare), would support this vision.

DISCUSSION

Over the past two years staff and the community have explored a series of childcare options ranging from renovation of existing community centre space, enhancement of alternate childcare facilities to new construction at the community centre site. Renovating existing space within the community centre was deemed undesirable given current programming demands. New construction or adding on to the existing childcare program run by Developmental Disabilities Association in a separate building adjacent to the community centre, would far exceed the funding available. Staff and the community therefore developed a plan to expand on the community centre facility.

The Park Board, Champlain Heights Community Association and Social Planning are proposing to build an expansion to the Community Centre to accommodate a 25-space out-of-school childcare centre and a 20-space licensed preschool to serve 80 children.

Park Board staff have completed a feasibility study to estimate the cost of the proposed child development centre. The estimated project cost of a facility, up to 1700 square feet, built to the requirements of Community Care Licensing, is $445,000.

In 1999 Council approved an allocation of $233,228 of the City-wide DCL funds collected from the Champlain Mall redevelopment towards the cost of establishing the Champlain Heights Community Centre day care facility. At the same time, Council also directed:

"should there be a shortfall in the money required to complete the daycare/childcare facilities at Champlain Community Centre, that Council be consulted as to whether the DCL money paid from the redevelopment of Champlain Mall could provide necessary funds for completion".

Staff are now recommending an additional allocation from DCL revenues of up to $212,000 to complete the funding necessary for this project.

Social Planning staff propose to cap the available funding at $445,000 which staff believes is adequate for a quality preschool and out-of-school care facility.

The Champlain Heights Community Association will complete applications for both Gaming Funds and Provincial Facilities and Equipment Grants to offset the costs of construction and furnishing. Should the Association be successful in their applications, staff propose to reduce the additional DCL allocation leaving funds available for other city-wide childcare initiatives.

Memorandum of Understanding:

The provision of childcare programs within the community centre context provides both opportunities and challenges. It provides an opportunity for other child development programming such as parent drop ins, toy lending, family place, parenting programs on evenings and weekends. It also requires operational commitments between all partners to ensure ongoing community benefits. In addition, the use of DCL funds requires that the childcare facility is secured for the DCL - eligible purpose of childcare over the long term.
It is therefore recommended that Park Board, the Champlain Heights Community Association and the City enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to outline operating responsibilities and provide long term stability, coordination and collaboration to maximize the benefits and efficiencies of this new facility.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Staff recommend up to a further $212,000 be allocated to the proposed child development centre at the Champlain Heights Community Centre; source of funds to the City-wide DCLs secured from the Champlain Mall redevelopment. The Champlain Mall redevelopment will generate DCL funds over and above those already earmarked for the child care and for park use by Council on July 27, 1999. The estimated total DCL will be approximately $1,119,112. Already earmarked funds total $463,228 (for the child care and park), leaving an unallocated balance of approximately $655,000.

The Operating Costs of the proposed childcare facility will be the responsibility of the Parks Board and the Champlain Heights Community Association. The Park Board has estimated that additional operating costs of $27,500 will be required on an annual basis for the maintenance and utilities of the expanded square footage at Champlain Heights Community Centre, which includes the square footage associated with new child development centre. This will be requested as added basic funding in the Park Board operating budget submission.

CONCLUSION

Staff recommend the allocation of up to a further $212,000 in capital funds to complete the project. Further, staff recommend that the operational relationships be clarified and secured for the future through a Memorandum of Understanding.

There is a community expectation for childcare to be one of the community amenities as a result of the Champlain Mall public benefits negotiation. Constructing a purpose built preschool and out-of-school licensed childcare facility which is operated in a collaborative partnership with other community organizations, could provide an opportunity to explore a new approach to service.

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ag020709.htm

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