After years of planning, uncertainty, and perseverance, the Muenster Cooperative Childcare Centre has officially broken ground on its new facility, marking a significant milestone for the town and surrounding region.
“It’s definitely been a long haul,” said Kassidy Rueve, interim vice-president of the daycare board. “But with our community support, we’ve finally broken ground. So, it’s very exciting.”
The journey to this moment was not without setbacks. According to interim president Payton Hinz, the board explored multiple locations before securing the current site on Railway Avenue.
“We actually started on Horizon School Division property right across from the school,” Hinz explained. “We worked on that project for about a year and a half, but ultimately due to lots of unforeseen circumstances, we had to move away from that property.”
The board then investigated a donated parcel of land, but spatial limitations meant the building wouldn’t fit.
“And then,” Hinz continued, “here we are — just off of Railway Ave. That will be our new home on the Main Street of Muenster.”
The selected site now meets all necessary permitting and building code requirements, allowing construction to proceed without further regulatory delays. “Everything is in place,” said Hinz. “All the kinks along the road, the permits — they’ve all lined up.”
Once completed, the new centre will accommodate up to 45 children ranging in age from six weeks to 12 years. The need for such a facility in the area is evident.
“We put out pre-registration forms throughout the past year and we’ve already reached that number,” Hinz noted. “Although it isn’t officially a waiting list yet, we expect it to fill up quickly once we open it.”
The daycare is projected to open in late spring or early summer of 2026.
Rueve reflected on the emotional significance of reaching this stage in the project.
“It feels very rewarding,” she said. “Now that things are moving and dirt is being dug, it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel and there is a building soon to come to our community.”
To celebrate the groundbreaking, the board is hosting a community BBQ on Friday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., behind the Muenster Community Centre.
“We’ll be serving burgers, chips, and pop for $5,” said Hinz. “It’s a way to thank the community and celebrate this important step forward.”
Both Hinz and Rueve emphasized their gratitude for the widespread support that has brought the project this far.
“We just want to thank everyone in Muenster and the surrounding communities,” said Hinz. “Every dollar counts. All of our sponsors and supporters have helped us reach this point — and we will still need support going forward.”
The daycare board continues to fundraise for building furnishings and operational readiness and welcomes ongoing community involvement as the project enters its construction phase.