50 Daycare Spaces Coming to Squamish Montessori Elementary School
Funding received for daycare spaces
On August 10, 2016, Squamish Montessori Elementary School received $429,873.00 from the Province through the Child Care Major Capital Funding Program. The provincial government is investing a total of 11.3-million into 30 BC communities to provide net new daycare spaces.
These funds will be specifically used to set up 50 daycare spaces in Squamish Montessori Elementary School’s proposed new building in the upcoming Skyridge development. A formal agreement between the Squamish Montessori Elementary School and Skyridge for the development of this school and daycare spaces is in the final stages of review and signature.
“The building will house an elementary school (K-6) and the daycare facility. It is estimated to cost 3-4 million dollars,” stated Jason Wood, General Manager of Diamond Head Development and the Skyridge developer.
“Squamish has a younger age profile than the rest of British Columbia. Almost 60% of its population is under the age of 40, compared to 49% in metropolitan Vancouver and 47% in the rest of British Columbia. Between 2006 and 2011 Squamish had one of the fastest growing youth populations (under the age of 14), growing at 8%. This means that daycare spaces are in high demand, with waitlists at most facilities in Squamish” Brenda Chelswick, SMS Director, told Jordan Sturdy, MLA, West Vancouver-Sea to Sky.
In 2008, SMS had 3 students. It now has over 120 students. “We just got our first 2019 applicant! Can you believe it!?” said Lindsay Graye, Principal & Director of Education at SMS.
The new school is projected to open in September 2018 and be a cornerstone of the new mountainside community, Skyridge. The school will be set amongst a central park, bike paths, mountain biking trails and have panoramic West Coast mountain views.
Skyridge will be debuting in September 24, 2016 with single family lots, duplexes, townhouses and Skysuites.
Photo: Jason Wood, Brenda Chelswick, Michelle Graye, Jordan Sturdy, Lindsay Graye and Katherine Crowshaw with the class of 2031.