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PARKSVILLE – Nanaimo-Parksville MLA Ron Cantelon, on behalf of Children and Family Development Minister Tom Christensen, announced an investment of $5.8 million today for the creation of a new Parksville community hub.
The facility – referred to as Family Place – is a partnership between MCFD, the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) and School District 69. Strongly supported by the City of Parksville and Town of Qualicum Beach, the project will bring together health, wellness and learning resources for local families, while creating an estimated 37 direct jobs during construction of the facility.
“The Family Place project brings together important resources and services for the children, youth and families of the Oceanside area,” said Cantelon. “Not only are we creating jobs throughout the project, but we’re investing into a valuable community centre that will allow families to access the programs and services they need more easily by having them co-located under one roof.”
The co-location of services also means a more effective working relationship between the three partners and contracted agencies that are expected to be part of Family Place as the project is further developed. Work on the project is set to begin immediately and will be constructed on land owned by the school district on the Island Highway. The new hub will provide families with a single, seamless centre of program and delivery excellence.
“Family Place represents many years of our three agencies and other community partners working together for the children and families of Oceanside,” said Eve Flynn, chair, Board of Education for School District 69. “This purpose-built ‘family friendly’ facility will strengthen that collaboration and build on the foundation of our strong community partnerships. The design of the building promises to be both an innovative and cost-effective use of space where a range of easily accessible programs and services can be provided to community members across our school district.”
Family Place will offer a wide array of services, including a Family Resource Centre, activity and nutrition education, adult clinics, early intervention and child therapy programs, individual counselling, early learning and literacy, and much more.
“We are very supportive of this project that will enable children, youth and their caregivers to have a healthy and supportive environment for their well-being,” said Jac Kreut, chair, Vancouver Island Health Authority. “We know that this approach requires solid partnerships and we value the commitment of the many partners involved in this project.”
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed last week by the three partners to signify the strong commitment to work together on expediting the planning, design and delivery of the Family Place project. Details on the project will be more fully developed in the coming weeks.
This project is part of an overall $14-billion capital infrastructure program supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.
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Media Relations Manager Ministry of Children and Family Development 250 356-1639 250 888-3545 cell
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Communications Coordinator Vancouver Island Health Authority 250 740-6980 250 714-8750 cell
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Superintendent of Schools School District 69 250 248-4241
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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