Construction Begins On Child Care Centre at University of Saskatchewan

Released on March 31, 2015

Today, Education Minister Don Morgan, Advanced Education Minister Kevin Doherty, and University of Saskatchewan Interim President Gordon Barnhart gathered to celebrate the start of construction for the university’s newest child care centre.  The Government of Saskatchewan has committed $1.3 million toward the $4.6 million project.

The new facility will accommodate 90 child care spaces, bringing the total number of licensed child care spaces on the university campus to 200.

“Our government recognizes that providing parents with access to high quality child care is important for a strong economy,” Morgan said.  “This new facility will give parents at the university convenient access to child care so they can focus on furthering their education and taking advantage of the employment opportunities in Saskatchewan.”

Seventy-five per cent of the spaces will be reserved for children of university students and 25 per cent will be allocated for children of university employees.

“As a university we’ve become increasingly aware of the need for more child care spaces,” University of Saskatchewan Interim President Gordon Barnhart said.  “It is also a particularly important factor affecting the accessibility of post-secondary education for students who have a demonstrated need for child care.”

The one-storey building will be located west of the university’s Souris Hall, an apartment style residence building for students with children.  Construction is scheduled to begin immediately and the university is hoping the building will be complete in the spring of 2016.

Since November 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has made a record investment in licensed child care, allocating funding for 4,935 new child care spaces to communities across the province.  This brings the total commitment of child care spaces in Saskatchewan to more than 14,200.  Visit www.saskatchewan.ca for a list of licensed child care services in your region.

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For more information, contact:

Kelly Johnston
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: kelly.johnston@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506