The LeRoy Daycare Inc. Is celebrating the ground clearing for its new and expanded facility on Aspen Street in LeRoy. A combination of circumstances and the need for additional spaces required the daycare to start with a ground up facility after its initial opening in 2019.
Daycare Director Chelsey Holt reflects on the journey the organization has taken thus far.
“We originally opened in 2019 in Evergreen Country Home (a seniors living complex), and that is where we are still located. We opened in the fall, and unfortunately in the spring of 2020, the Evergreen closed. We have been keeping up with our operations in this building since then. We purchase the building back in 2023 with the intention of renovating and expanding within this building.”
Holt goes on to say that the full takeover of the Evergreen was not in the cards given the structure’s age and other shortcomings. This came after considerable effort in renovations to the north part of the complex to make a home for the 20 daycare children they have intaken. LeRoy Daycare Inc has since sold the Evergreen building.
Holt says that in the meantime it became evident that more seats in the daycare were needed, and it simply became more feasible to build an entirely new facility. The new building site is adjacent to the school on Aspen Street which has tremendous advantages, Holt says.
“It has a host of benefits being nice and close to the school for transporting our school aged children back and forth to school.”
Holt says that the principal contractor, Miners Construction, has supported every aspect of the build including input on design. The groundbreaking took place last week, meaning the build phase is officially under way.
The new daycare will provide an additional 70 spaces to add on to the existing 20. Holt says the need for additional spaces became obvious after the completion of the current complex. When the government announced its $10 per day childcare initiative, demand for space spiked. It necessitated the group moving quick toward expansion.
While government funding provides for a portion of the construction cost, the balance falls to the daycare and community fundraising groups.
“We are very thankful for a ton of community support through fundraising and donations,” Holt says. “We have several upcoming events and ways that people can continue to support us.”
Among those is a BBQ on the LeRoy School grounds from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on May 28 to celebrate the groundbreaking. Everyone is welcome.
Later in the summer, LeRoy will host a fundraising street dance featuring country-rockers Sask Steel. That event takes place on July 19. A school aged summer program will take place in July and August for those seeking summer care for children. Connect with LeRoy Daycare directly for more information.
“There’s also a wonderful donation matching program going on right now – if anyone is willing to donate, now is the perfect time,” says Holt. “Leroy Feeds, Sinnett Pork Farm and the McGrath family have pledged to match all donations up to a total of $75,000.”
There are lots of opportunities to get involved, to contribute, and to celebrate the much needed and expanded daycare facility in LeRoy.