Kids from the Aboriginal Head Start Program assisted with Wednesday's ground breaking ceremony. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Breaking ground

MN-S breaks ground on new Prince Albert childcare centre

May 22, 2024 | 3:20 PM

With a look of determination in their eyes, roughly a dozen young children helped launch the construction of a new facility, that will offer 90 daycare spaces for Métis families in the Prince Albert region.

A special ground blessing ceremony was held Wednesday morning for the Métis Centre of Excellence Early Learning and Childcare Centre, which is located off 10th Avenue West and just south of the Alfred Jenkins Fieldhouse. MN-S Early Learning and Child Care Minister Sherry McLennan was among the dignitaries in attendance and during her remarks to the crowd noted how she was born and raised in Prince Albert.

“”Building community is most important,'” she said, before turning her attention to the young children and expressing her desire that maybe one day their children will attend the facility too.

Speaking afterward with paNOW, McLennan, who is also chair of the Aboriginal Head Start program, acknowledged she is fully aware of the pressures facing families.

“People phone me on a daily basis trying to find daycare spots,” she said.

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McLennan also noted the benefits of having the facility so close to the Jump Start playground and the hospital, describing the location as the perfect spot.

McLennan plays with the young children. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The facility represents the second location of Ma Faamii community hubs, and a similar announcement was made in Saskatoon. MN-S President Glenn McCallum stressed the importance of teaching culture, language and values to the young generation.

“And that’s what will be taught in these daycares that we are building here and it’s a compliment to this city but more importantly for our Métis people that live here,” he said.

Construction is expected to take about 18 months and noting how the MN-S owns a 26 acre parcel of land, Chief Operating Officer Matt Vermette mentioned this facility represents phase one of a bigger plan for the area. Future plans include additional housing units to accomodate new and young families as well as even commercial development.

“The thinking here is to create a neighbourhood,” he said.

MN-S Vice-President Michelle Leclair said the facility represents a cornerstone of the planned community. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

In addition to the dozens of childcare spaces, Ma Faamii provides a singular location for citizens to access all programs and services offered by the MN–S government including registry intake and support workers.

Also in attendance for Wednesday’s event were MN-S Social Infrastructure Minister Loretta King, Prince Albert MLA’s Alana Ross and Joe Hargrave, and represents from AODBT architecture interior design.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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A group photo. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)