ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT


                                        Date: June 27, 1996


     TO:       Vancouver City Council

     FROM:     Director of Community Services, Social Planning

     SUBJECT:  Childcare Capital Allocation -
               Expansion of Childcare in City-Owned Buildings



     RECOMMENDATION

          THAT Council approve a capital grant of $67,850 to the Pooh
          Corner Daycare Society for the renovation of the Pooh Corner
          Daycare to allow for expansion of up to 13 new childcare
          spaces; source of funds to be the Childcare Capital Funds.


     MANAGER'S COMMENTS

          The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
          the foregoing.


     COUNCIL POLICY

     Approval of grant recommendations requires eight affirmative votes.


     PURPOSE

     The purpose of this report is to inform Council of the proposed
     expansion of Pooh Corner Daycare centre and to recommend approval of a
     capital grant.


     BACKGROUND

     The number of children requiring childcare in the West End has been
     steadily increasing since 1991, but the number of spaces available has
     actually decreased because of the recent closure of the
     privately-owned Marigold Daycare Centre.  The City Childcare
     Co-ordinator has been working with West End childcare operators to
     explore potential expansion options.


     Pooh Corner Daycare, a 24-space toddler/3-5 group day care, is located
     at 975 Lagoon Drive on the edge of the Stanley Park, in a heritage "B"
     home owned by the Park Board.  Although the building is large and
     could accommodate more children, the daycare is only licensed to use
     one of the three floors available because of building code
     deficiencies.  The daycare's fundraising efforts to date have focused
     on maintaining the existing licensable space, upgrading the
     playground, improving security, repainting, and replacing old
     appliances. The volunteer Board members have recently raised over
     $70,500 to fund the upgrading projects.  Over the past ten years, Park
     Board has invested an additional $94,000 in major structural and site
     improvements.

     At the request of the Childcare Co-ordinator, the Pooh Corner Society
     undertook a full review of their expansion potential from a capital
     and operating perspective.


     DISCUSSION

     Pooh Corner Daycare Society has determined that if the current
     heritage facility could be renovated to meet the relevant
     standards/codes, up to 13 licensed childcare spaces could be added,
     wheelchair accessibility improved and the long term financial
     viability of the service enhanced.

     Pooh Corner Daycare Society is requesting a civic contribution to the
     proposal outlined in Appendix I.  The proposal includes a Building
     Code Upgrade - sprinklers, a renovation of the cramped cubby area on
     the ground floor, and a major interior renovation of the upper floor
     and attic loft.  This will improve the overall safety standards of the
     building, increase indoor play space by over 1/3 and create much
     needed storage space.  It is anticipated that the total costs will be
     approximately $135,700.  Increased operating costs will be entirely
     offset by increased revenues from user fees.

     The Pooh Corner Daycare building is a City-owned facility, so the
     proposed expansion is eligible for consideration under the City-owned
     Childcare Capital program.  A civic grant of $67,850 will provide Pooh
     Corner with the leverage needed to raise matching funds from the
     Ministry of Women's Equality.

     This request for funding is consistent with the childcare capital
     grant program criteria.  The opportunity to add up to 13 new childcare
     spaces within an existing City-owned facility at a reasonable cost is
     supported by the Childcare Co-ordinator, particularly as the addition
     of spaces will enhance the long term viability of the Pooh Corner
     Daycare service. Pooh Corner's request is therefore being recommended.



     CONCLUSION

     The West End is in urgent need of new licensed childcare spaces.  A
     renovation of the existing Pooh Corner Daycare, located in a Park
     Board heritage home would add up to 13 new spaces at a projected cost
     of $135,700.  Pooh Corner has requested civic support.  Staff are
     recommending a childcare capital grant of $67,850 and the board of
     Pooh Corner has agreed to raise the balance from other funders.



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