Released on September 18, 2015
Regina families now have access to more licensed child care spaces thanks to the Government of Saskatchewan’s $1.34 million investment in the Awasis Child Care Centre at the University of Regina. Education Minister Don Morgan joined University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor Vianne Timmons and Awasis Child Care Co-operative staff and parents to celebrate the grand opening of the centre.“We’ve been fortunate over the past several years to see many young families decide to put down roots and raise their children right here in Saskatchewan,” Morgan said. “As a government, we’re proud to have responded to the needs of these families by making record investments to expand child care options throughout the province. I know this facility in particular will make a big difference in the lives of university students with young children.”
The new Awasis Child Care Centre, located in Kīšik residential towers, is licensed to accommodate 90 children. The opening of the new centre also allows the Wascana Daycare Co-operative to expand their child care spaces to 90 from 45 in the College West building previously shared with Awasis.
The new spaces at the Wascana Daycare Centre are expected to be available next spring, bringing the total number of child care spaces to 180 on the university campus. While the child care spaces in both centres are prioritized for children of university students, spaces are also available for Regina families.
“The inability to find safe and reliable child care can be an educational barrier for students with young families, so the new Awasis Child Care Centre will be an important source of support for many of our students at the University of Regina,” University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons said. “At the same time, this facility will serve families in the larger Regina community, so I am pleased that the provincial government recognized our collective need and partnered with the University to help address it in this way.”
“It is with great gratitude today that we celebrate with the University of Regina and the Government of Saskatchewan for investing in our organization’s growth and expansion,” Awasis Executive Director Sheila Pelletier said. “We look forward to providing quality child care to our children and families within the university community and surrounding Regina area. Our Saskatchewan Government’s commitment to increasing child care spaces within our province will support many families in their education and employment opportunities.”
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:
Amanda Purcell
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: amanda.purcell@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506