ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: November 17, 1998
Author/Local: P.Coates/6042
RTS No. 185

CC File No. 1602

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of Community Services, Social Planning
SUBJECT:	City-Owned Childcare Facilities 1998 Capital Budget

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve capital funds of $75,000 for upgrades and structural repairs to seven City-owned childcare facilities as outlined in this report; source of funds to be the City-owned Social and Cultural Facilities component of the 1998 Capital Budget.

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

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

COUNCIL POLICY

Approval of this funding request requires eight affirmative votes

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to recommend that $75,000 be allocated to Building Management from the 1998 Capital Budget for City-owned Childcare Facilities to undertake necessary repairs and upgrades for seven City owned childcare facilities.

BACKGROUND

The childcare component of the 1997 - 1999 Capital Plan for City-owned facilities identified as a priority, those repairs and renovations of City-owned facilities which address health and safety issues and are outside of the scope of the annual Daycare Maintenance Program budget. At the request of Social Planning, Building Management staff undertook a thorough inspection of all the City-owned childcare facilities.

DISCUSSION

According to the assessment of Building Maintenance, the top priority for repairs and upgrades in 1998 are the following seven childcare facilities - Strathcona portable, Grandview portable, Duke Street portable, Bobolink portable, Playhouse portable, Champlain Childcare Centre and Library Square Children’s Centre. Building management also strongly recommends a review of the roofing systems for all of the childcare portables as soon as possible because of ongoing problems with leaks. The total budget estimate is $75,000 broken down as follows:

Facility	Budget Estimate	Description of Work
*Strathcona	$18,000	Enclose porch & repair existing structure Replace flooring in main activity area Repair and repaint sections of exterior Replace damaged windows
*Grandview	$8,000	Add staff lockers for personal valuables Repair and repaint sections of exterior Replace damaged windows
*Duke Street	$7,500	Refinish exterior posts and benches Address issue of serious summer heat build-up, particularly in nap areas
*Bobolink	$3,500	Improve exterior lighting Repair and repaint sections of exterior
*Playhouse	$3,000	Upgrade front walkway so as to address wheelchair accessibility issue
Champlain	$10,000	Replace flooring Replace broken kitchen cupboard doors Replace bathroom counter top
Library Square	$10,000	Improve exterior lighting - must tie in with overall building appearance Touch up interior painting and address issue of wallboard protection in heavy use areas
*Portables: Roof Systems	$15,000	Review options for replacement of the roof systems of the childcare portables. Two require immediate upgrading.

It is suggested that the budget estimates for each facility be used as a guideline only and that the work be managed within one budget totalling $75,000 so any cost savings achieved at one childcare site can be used to cover any unanticipated cost overruns at another.

The source of funding for this childcare project budget is the City-owned Social and Cultural Facilities component of the 1998 Capital budget.

CONCLUSION

Building Management has identified City-owned seven childcare facilities which require structural repairs and upgrades. Social Planning is recommending that Council approve capital funds of $75,000 for the work outlined in this report. The source of funds is the City-owned Social and Cultural Facilities component of the 1998 Capital Budget.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver