A Port Coquitlam daycare hub may soon nearly triple in size — a move that would help the city meet its targets for more child care spaces.
On Tuesday, June 25, the city’s committee of council advanced a rezoning bid by Honeybees Child Care Centre to expand its facility at A121-2099 Lougheed Hwy. into Unit A123 and increase the number of spots by 66, from 37 to 103 kids.
Council OK'd first and second bylaw readings on Tuesday night.
According to a report from Bruce Irvine, PoCo’s director of development services, the proposal would see 25 more spaces for three- to five-year-olds and 41 new spaces to accommodate out-of-school care and preschool programs.
James Park Elementary students in the out-of-school program would be walked to the facility after school, he wrote.
Located in the Shaughnessy Square mall, Honeybees is close to Aggie Park, which meets Fraser Health’s outdoor space requirements for a child care centre. It’s also along a transit route, has ample parking and faces Lougheed Highway.
Fraser Health last conducted an inspection of Honeybees on May 22, 2024.
Under the city’s land-use policies, child care centres with more than 50 children are recommended to go into commercial and mixed-use settings where there is enough parking and outdoor play area.
Mayor Brad West, a father of two young boys, said PoCo has a “significant need” for child care and adding more spaces “is a positive thing.”
Adopted in 2019, the city’s Child Care Action Plan calls for 145 new spaces each year until 2030.
Coun. Darrell Penner asked civic staff to put a tally in its reports to show how PoCo is meeting its annual target, a suggestion echoed by West who noted the recent child care space boost.
Still, Coun. Glenn Pollock raised concern about the lack of child care staff in the region; however, Irvine said Honeybees won’t be allowed to fill its new spaces if it doesn’t have enough employees.
Irvine said city planners are expected to bring recommended revisions to the Child Care Action Plan next year to account for the population growth, as a result of the new provincial legislation around housing.
Cannabis outlet
Meanwhile, PoCo City Hall will advise the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch about a new retail outlet coming to North Port Coquitlam.
On Tuesday, June 25, the committee of council unanimously OK’d the resolution for the branch issue a licence to Boss Cannabis at 101-3377 Coast Meridian Rd.
On April 16, 2024, council rezoned the unit to permit the cannabis store, which when operational will be 250 m from the sports field at École des Pionniers-de-Maillardville, 325 m from Minnekhada Middle and 400 m from the Hyde Creek Recreation Centre.
