West Shore Parks & Recreation Society Opens New JDF Childcare Centre and JDF Arena

The Staff and Board of the West Shore Parks & Recreation Society are excited to announce the official opening of the JDF Childcare Centre and the JDF Arena following major capital renovations.

With $3.9 million in grant funding from the Ministry of Children & Family Development and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, renovations were completed on the upper JDF Recreation Centre to build the new JDF Childcare Centre. Included in this beautifully-renovated childcare space is 24 new full-time daycare and 30 new preschool spaces (for children 30 months to 5 years); and 40 new afterschool care spaces. As well, additional amenities specific to childcare licensing include: a new outdoor playpark, a commercial kitchen fully accessible washroom facilities and upgrades to the existing elevator.

The JDF Arena upgrades which were completed in September were a direct result of a successful provincial infrastructure grant application through the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure. In total, $1,298,271 in grant funding and $700,000 from WSPR’s capital reserve contributed to upgrades including: the replacement of the refrigerated floor, addition of a heat recovery condenser, new dasher boards, new spectator seating, players benches moved to the spectator side of the arena, fresh flooring and paint.

Society Board Chair Kyara Kahakauwila goes on to add “The Society Board would like to recognize the tremendous effort our Staff displayed as they secured grant funding, through to the completion of these two major projects. Projects that were completed during the pandemic no less. These new upgrades will provide critical childcare spaces for our growing community and much needed renovations to the JDF Arena that will benefit our many user organizations and the public. As Board Chair, I extend my gratitude to the team for their successful completion of these critical projects.”

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, December 6th at 10:00AM at the entrance to the JDF Childcare Centre and the JDF Arena followed by tours of the new spaces, coffee and treats. There will then be a “FREE” public skate from 10:30AM to 11:20AM on the new JDF Arena ice.

For this event, please note that West Shore Parks & Recreation staff will be following all public health guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety.

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