ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: June 29, 1996
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Director of Community Services, Social Planning
SUBJECT: Childcare Capital Allocation
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve a capital grant of $10,000 to the Mount
Pleasant Child Care Society towards safety related
improvements to the City-owned property; 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 recommend approval of a childcare
capital grant.
BACKGROUND
The need for good quality licensed childcare programs in the east
Mount Pleasant area is extremely high, yet programs in this inner-city
neighbourhood face many challenges. Not only are the childcare
operators stretched in both human and financial terms to address the
needs of the many 'at risk', low income children and families, but
also their childcare facilities and play yards are often subject to
vandalism and security problems after hours. The Mount Pleasant Child
Care Centre, located on City land at 960 East 7th Avenue, has the
additional problem of coping with safety issues arising from erosion
and drainage problems because of the steep grade of the property.
City staff have been working with the parent board to look at ways to
address these issues so as to limit City exposure as the landowner.
DISCUSSION
Mount Pleasant Child Care Society, in consultation with City and
Health board staff, is embarking upon an ambitious property, facility
and equipment up-grade project to address safety, vandalism,
licensing, and programming concerns. The project is estimated at
$53,880 and to date the 30 families have raised over $41,000 through
casino funds, a contribution from the Vancouver Foundation and CKNW
Orphan's Fund, and a small Emergency Repair grant from the Ministry of
Women's Equality.
The parent board is requesting a contribution of $10,000 from the City
to address erosion, drainage and outdoor safety issues. The parents
and staff of Mount Pleasant Child Care Society have worked
exceptionally hard to raise 80% of the funds required. They would
like to complete this Phase I project and move onto raising funds to
supplement their day to day program.
While the childcare capital plan dollars set aside for City-owned
childcare centres are primarily intended for expansion of new
services, it is the assessment of staff that it is in the best
interests of the City to support the proposed safety upgrade of this
existing 37-space toddler/"3-5" group daycare program located on City
land. There was some internal debate as to whether Mount Pleasant
should apply for funding through the 1996 non-City owned capital
grants stream because the society owns their facility while the land
belongs to the City. However, in the end, it was decided that because
the request for funds focuses on erosion, drainage and safety issues
created by the steep grade of the property, the request more
appropriately fits under the City-owned capital project funding.
Social Planning is therefore recommending that a $10,000 childcare
capital grant be provided to Mount Pleasant Child Care Society.
CONCLUSION
Mount Pleasant Child Care Society is requesting a $10,000 contribution
towards their property, facility and equipment upgrade project which
includes addressing erosion, drainage and safety issues related to the
steep grade of the City-owned property. Staff have reviewed the
proposed plans and agree that it would be in the best interest of the
City to support the proposed property related upgrades. The parent
board has raised 80% of the funds required for the overall project.
Staff are recommending a $10,000 childcare capital grant be approved.
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APPENDIX I
MOUNT PLEASANT CHILD CARE SOCIETY
1996 Proposed Property and Facility Upgrade
1. Demolition and Disposal of unsafe structures
and fencing $ 2,700
2. Property upgrade (safety, drainage,
erosion issues)
a) Excavation, regrading, terracing and
new drainage re: steep hill side $ 6,000
b) Asphalt path & steps along building
perimeter $ 2,700
c) Perimeter fencing (6' small link) $ 8,980
3. Landscaping improvements
(turf, shrubs, paving stones, bike path) $10,000
4. Play structure upgrade $ 8,500
5. Storage shed/Deck replacement $ 4,000
6. Building and Equipment repairs/replacement $11,000
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS $53,880
Revenue Sources
Vancouver Foundation $15,000
CKNW Orphan's Fund $ 7,680
Casino Funds $17,000
MWE Grant $ 4,200
Request to City $10,000
Request to the City relates specifically to items listed under
Property Upgrade. These upgrades will address outstanding safety,
drainage and erosion issues created by the property's steep grade.
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