Roundhouse construction almost complete

Construction of the new daycare and preschool facility is almost complete and it will soon be open for business.

Under construction for the past year, the replica CP Roundhouse on the Lawrence Grassi Middle School site is expected to be complete by the end of February, with children moving in mid-April.

Canmore community daycare society executive director Cherri Hodgins said the targeted move in date for the children is April 16.

She said while the organization gets the keys at the end of this month, the move of equipment and furniture, along with final design work, will be staggered through March and into April. “Throughout March we will move on weekends so as of April 16 we are ready to go,” Hodgins said.

Daycare chair Craig Hudsptih said the upcoming move is very exciting for parents, staff and the children.

“We can’t believe really it’s here, it’s coming up fast and now it is crunch time for us,” he said. “There has been overwhelming support from suppliers, builders and the Town of Canmore.”

With one milestone met there is still another to go, as completion of the building does not include a playground, which is needed for licensing.

The area for the playground is fenced and while Hodgins said fundraising and grant and bursary applications have been ongoing, there is still more to be raised for it to be completed.

Another $30,000 is needed and as a result the daycare is holding a James Bond-themed fundraiser on March 3 at the Stewart Creek Golf Course.

Keeping additional costs for the new building low means fees for children attending the facility will remain the same once the transition occurs. However, after several months in operation, Hodgins said the board will review the costs of operating the new facility.

“Our goal is to keep fees as reasonable as possible,” she said. “We will spend the first six months analyzeing costs and the costs should be reasonable because the building is efficient.”

The timeframe for the move also allows for finishing design work of the interior, which is happening through a partnership with The Banff Centre.

Hodgins said the set design department is working with the daycare and preschool on the finishing touches.

“This is an amazing opportunity for us,” she said, adding the labour is being donated and the materials paid for by the non-profit group. “I think it is going to be cool – what we are trying to do with the décor is bring our environment inside.”

The new facility will have increased capacity as well, with one additional classroom for infants and toddlers.

Combined with the new junior kindergarten program and before/after school program being held at Elizabeth Rummel, Hodgins said the daycare will be able to utilize their space better and reduce wait lists.

“Currently, we have a good-sized wait list and primarily it is infants and toddlers,” she said. “Between now and September we think we can accommodate all infants currently on the wait list

“And with another classroom we are in a better position to developmentally group children.”

The new facility is likely to capture interest in the community and Hodgins said several open houses will be scheduled to show off the building.

The daycare was originally proposed to be part of the Multiplex, currently under construction. However, it was not included because its uses did not fit with the site, which is adjacent to a busy road and railway.

In light of the change, several community members brought forward the proposal to build a replica of the Roundhouse. Hodgins said the project never would have gotten off the ground without that community support, including Frank Kernick with Spring Creek Mountain Village and Alasdair Russell, with Russell and Russell Designs.

With $1.8 million in provincial grant funding coming from council there was also an expectation the development industry would contribute in-kind.

Hodgins said with Pat Griffiths company ModCo in charge of construction management, all the special needs of the facility are being addressed and the community has really stepped up to contribute.

“Daycares have a lot of requirements and a lot of needs that are very unusual from building another building,” she said. “Pat and his crew have been very cognizant of those needs… and working to make sure it is a safe, quality environment.”

There is also a high-tech commercial grade kitchen, Hodgins said, thanks to a donation from the Bow Valley Foodbank last year.