For families in the Central Okanagan, the announcement of a Kelowna daycare’s closure seven weeks from now has made finding childcare in the middle of winter an incredibly difficult task. Building Blocks Educare – a business that had been operating for 15 years – was informed that its long-term lease at its Gordon Drive location would not be renewed when the building was sold during summer 2021.
Attempts to relocate were unsuccessful due to the current economic climate and uncertainty around universal child care. As a result, on February 28th 2023, the Gordon Drive campus will close and ProducKIDvity – another daycare provider based in Kelowna – will begin taking over operations at the Sutherland Avenue campus come April 1st.
The closure of Building Blocks is a heartbreaking one for co-owner Laura Forbes who said it was an “honour” to have created something they are proud of and grateful for with their families and staff, but acknowledged how significant an effect this decision has already had on them.
ProducKIDvity CEO Alex Carnio says they are working hard to secure spaces where possible in order to support those affected by Building Blocks’ closure as well as area families who are still searching for childcare options.
