By Alex Soloducha

Construction of new Shellbrook childcare centre to start soon

Mar 12, 2014 | 11:46 AM

A new childcare centre in Shellbrook aims to fill the need for family services in its community.

Building of the Happy Hearts Childcare Centre will soon be underway after nearly two years of fundraising.

A group of parents in the small community noticed a dire need for more childcare services.

Nicole Philp is one of the parents heading the project.

“There’s just not enough childcare for the number of young families that have moved to Shellbrook in the last few years,” said Philp.

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“Our community is becoming one where people live here and drive to work in P.A., often people just looking for a more small-town environment so we’re finding that if we can offer a childcare service, a licensed facility, that will definitely help attract people to Shellbrook,” she said.

That’s when they applied for a grant from the government and were awarded 33 childcare spaces. They immediately began fundraising to build a new facility.

Builders are set to break ground on April 1, whether that means moving snow or not. They are hoping to open there doors sometime in the fall.

Since then they’ve had many fundraisers including a trip lottery and an annual golf tournament. They have also been offering community members the opportunity to “buy a brick” to be built in, with their name on it. In addition, the group has a sponsorship campaign; people who donate money will be featured on a “sponsorship wall” in the new building.

“The response has been very supportive from the community,” said Philp, “I think employers see it as an opportunity to attract new employees to the community [now] that we can offer childcare services.”

Their latest fundraiser will be a St. Patty’s Day Dance held on March 15 at the Community Hall in Shellbrook. Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the dance will go until 1 a.m. There will be a raffle for an autographed Roughrider jersey and prizes for the best dressed leprechaun. The event is 19+, with green beer and all. Advance tickets are $10, and will be $15 at the door.

According to Philp they have already completed enough fundraising to get a mortgage and begin building. Now they are focusing on the future costs.

They have already had numerous inquiries for positions from various families with young children. The hiring process for new employees will begin sometime this summer.

The building location is conveniently adjacent to the community’s new Centennial Park. They will have sections within the building for different age groups of children.

Advance tickets to the dance will be sold at Designers Edge and Woodland Pharmacy in Shellbrook. People can also donate to the cause by contacting the group on Facebook.

news@panow.com

On Twitter @alex_soloducha