Image: Huron County Courthouse
Huron County council has approved the funding for the startup costs for a childcare facility in Howick.
The proposed space would include 49 childcare spaces, in a facility that would be connected to the Howick Recreation Centre.
Social Services Manager Cheryl Patience explained that the startup agreement would see the county contribute $2 million to help with construction and licensing for the facility, but the operations would be provincially funded.
In the agreement, the service provider would also have to repay any leftover funding, or funds that were not used for the originally intended purpose back to the county.
The approval for the funding is just in time for the province’s deadline for a commitment to adding childcare services. The deadline is December 31st.
The space would have to be constructed and licensed before the end of 2026.