Moose Jaw City Council is supporting plans for a former licensed liquor store to become a future licensed childcare centre.
During Monday's council meeting, council approved a Moose Jaw Family YMCA discretionary use application to operate a daycare centre at 510 Fourth Ave. S.W., the former site of the South Hill liquor store.
The YMCA is currently in negotiations with the province to purchase the property, as well as city-owned property across the lane for use as an outdoor playground. In total, the YMCA hopes to turn the area into a 70-space licensed daycare centre.
However, Southwest Day Care and Early Learning Centre Chairwoman Tammy Payne opposes the discretionary use allowing another daycare centre in that area of Moose Jaw.
While addressing council on Monday, she said her facility at 504 Fourth Ave. S.W. currently has vacancies and she doesn't see the need for another daycare centre nearby. Also, she said there are safety concerns for the children, since there is no adjacent playground space to the former liquor board store.
However, City Engineer Ryan Johnson said there are provincial regulations regarding safely maintaining the daycare centre across the lane from its outdoor play area that must be met in order for the YMCA to maintain its licence.
Johnson said such regulations alleviate administration concerns.
Jeff Fox, local YMCA CEO, told council his organization believes there is a need for more daycare space locally, based on the fact the YMCA currently has 60 children on a daycare waiting list.
"We don't feel that's an issue."
Council unanimously supported the YMCA request. Coun. Darin Chow was absent from Monday's meeting.
Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.
