Expansion planned for Kelowna airport's child care centre

The Kelowna Airport’s YMCA Child Care Centre is expanding to include over 20 extra spaces.

The centre opened last November with 86 spots for children five and under.

The Province developed the standalone child care centre at Kelowna International Airport in partnership with the City of Kelowna and KF Aerospace.

Children 36 months and under will now be cared for at the centre.

About $2.5 million from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund paid for the expansion, which is meant to alleviate the “significant” waitlist.

A news release issued Friday said the latest expansion is due to a collaboration with the city, YLW, KF Aerospace and the YMCA of Southern Interior BC.

“It’s the kind of investment that really matters to Kelowna residents and strengthens the local community,” said Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas.

“This commitment and funding will help local families access quality, and affordable community-based childcare and I know that many of them, working on the YLW campus and throughout Kelowna, share in my gratitude for this incredible support and for the innovative partnership that has made the expansion of this childcare facility possible.”

According to the news release, the facility was built with this type of expansion in mind.

The expansion is currently in the design phase and it is expected to open in late 2025.