The Town of Didsbury will end its municipally managed before- and after-school care program, effective June 26, 2025, following a May 27 council vote to approve a service level amendment, the town announced on Wednesday.
The Didsbury Out of School Care Association (DOSCA) program will conclude at the end of the 2024–25 school year.
The town said the DOSCA Summer Fun program will operate as planned for this year and "will then be re-evaluated at the end of the summer."
DOSCA was originally established in 2006 as a not-for-profit society and moved under the management of the Town of Didsbury Jan. 1, 2008. The program was "financially self-sufficient with revenue from user fees, FCSS funding, local grants, and fundraising efforts" and, at the time, "there was a definite need for the program in the community."
In 2023 and 2024, the DOSCA department "experienced significant reported deficits," the town said.
The Town's Reserve Policy FIN 007-24 and Bylaw 2025-06 – Social Services Rates and Fees require that DOSCA "is to operate as a standalone department of the Town and that it has no impact on the annual tax requirement."
"The decision to close DOSCA was made after thoughtful consideration of information that included the ongoing reduced enrollment leading to the annual financial losses that the program has incurred, and, in addition, Town Bylaw 2025-06 that states DOSCA is self-supported and is not subsidized by property taxes," Mayor Rhonda Hunter said.
Council had discussed the future of the DOSCA program at "several previous Council meetings, including in closed session at the May 13 RCM, where Council approved to amend the level of service for Didsbury Out of School Care Association department as discussed."
"We understand the value that this program brought to the families who accessed it, we realize the value of the personnel who delivered the program with their special touch and attention, and we acknowledge that the program closure is disappointing news," Hunter said.
"Council has had to make a decision from a fiscally responsible perspective that makes sense. We appreciate that this is a sad day and an end to an era of excellence in childcare through this program. It is with heavy hearts that we had to make this decision."
The town said "there are a number of care providers in the Didsbury area, including some that are open to before and after school care."
All parents and guardians who use the DOSCA program were notified by letter of the conclusion of the program.
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