“Great news for families”: childcare expansion funded
Published 7th February 2018
| 7 February 2018 |
Wakefield Regional Council has welcomed the announcement of South Australian Government funding for the long-awaited Balaklava Community Children’s Centre’s (BCCC) expansion.
Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock has announced that the project to expand the currently full childcare centre has won funding worth $200,000 from the Regional Development Fund.
Wakefield Mayor Rodney Reid said the expansion would see places in the Centre rise from 59 to 90.
“We know the lack of childcare services in the region is acting as a barrier to some of Council’s plans regarding population growth,” Mayor Reid said.
“Wakefield’s strategic plan includes population growth as a key pillar, but without the availability of childcare services it was always going to be difficult to see that growth come about.
“New workers to the area are often being attracted from the metropolitan areas where they are used to having childcare services available to them, so this announcement is great news.”
Wakefield CEO Jason Kuchel said while Council had supported the Centre with the commitment of up to $100,000 in grants if no other grants were received and had opened the possibility of community loans, he was now glad to hear the project would be able to go ahead without relying on Council for further assistance
“Wakefield is proud to have helped facilitate this project, in particular by providing a 21 plus 21 year lease over the neighbouring Council owned land which assists with additional play space, storage and car parking.
“It’s great news to families in the community in need of childcare services and of course to the Centre’s patrons and staff who will also benefit from the new facilities,” Mr Kuchel said.
“Wakefield Regional Council looks forward to seeing the project take shape over the coming 12 months.”