Port Moody families will soon benefit from a new child care facility in the city’s downtown area.
On Tuesday, July 23, the city council approved a temporary use permit for a daycare that will accommodate 36 children. The daycare will be housed in a pre-fabricated building located on a vacant 810 sq. m. residential lot at 2901 St. Johns St. This site was previously home to a house that was relocated by Fred Soofi, a retired restaurateur and heritage advocate.
Soofi informed the council that he had been waiting for an appropriate use for the property while it awaits future redevelopment. “I think this would be a good use,” Soofi said. “Let’s go for it.”
The daycare, operated by Acorn Early Childhood Education, will offer services for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, pre-kindergarteners, and school-aged children, including summer camps. Port Moody development planner Salwa Albayaty noted that the lot, which has been approved by Fraser Health, is spacious enough to include a large outdoor play area.
The permit is valid for three years but can be renewed for an additional three years. Council members supported the project enthusiastically, with some suggesting the possibility of extending the permit if the daycare proves successful. However, staff indicated that such an extension would likely require rezoning.
“Childcare is desperately needed in this community,” said Councillor Kyla Knowles. “It’s pretty challenging for people looking for childcare.”
Councillor Amy Lubik expressed hope that this initiative could serve as a model for other underutilized properties. “I hope this could set a precedent for similar uses of vacant land,” she said.