Work has officially begun on an expansion project that will see 80 new childcare spaces at the Penticton Community Centre.

The site of the former Bugaboo University will see construction for the next several months, as the City of Penticton and YMCA of the Southern Interior BC team up to expand the facility.

Expected to be complete by late 2025, the project will see 12 spaces for children under 3 years old, 44 spaces for children 3 years old to kindergarten age, and 24 spaces for school-aged children.

害羞草研究所淲e recognize the importance of quality care for parents, children and the overall health of the community,害羞草研究所� says Jamie Lloyd-Smith, the city害羞草研究所檚 social development specialist. 害羞草研究所淭his is an exciting partnership that will help meet the demand."

The Power Street Child Care project, as it's being called, is supported by a $3.9 million grant from the B.C. government.

"We applaud our partners, the City of Penticton, for their vision and support to non-profit sector organizations like the YMCA as we work together to support our community,害羞草研究所� said Frine Guenter, YMCA's senior manager of child care

害羞草研究所淭ogether, we have increased the number of high-quality, safe, affordable non-profit child care spaces, which is not only good for children and families, but also for the local economy.害羞草研究所�

Excavators are now on site, according to Penticton city officials,  and the playground behind the community centre is now closed to allow construction to begin.

The expansion comes as the city looks to reach its target of having 722 childcare spaces by 2030.

Including after-school care provided by School District 67, the city is on track to reach 60 per cent of its target by the end of 2024.