Ranger Park Child Care Facility Project

Child Care at Ranger Park

Following completion of the Smithers Child Care Plan Implementation Project, the Town of Smithers conducted Phase 1 community engagement to explore applying for 100% capital funding through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund Program to build a new child care facility in a portion of Ranger Park. 

At the February 27th, 2024, Regular Meeting, Smithers Council received the Staff Report and engagement summary, and approved designating a portion of Ranger Park for the construction of a new child care facility through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund Program. In May 2024, Council selected the YMCA as the facility operator following a Request for Expression of Interest process. The Town’s application to the New Spaces Fund was submitted in early August 2024. This included a conceptual design of the facility, with the final site location in Ranger Park pending future community engagement.

Selecting a Location in Ranger Park

In response to the feedback from Phase 1 engagement, the Town has completed a Traffic Impact Assessment Study to look at how the proposed development might affect traffic in the area.

The Town is currently seeking community feedback (Phase 2) on two possible locations for the child care center in Ranger Park: 

  • Option 1 -16 Avenue location:

    Proposed Childcare Facility in Ranger Park - 16th Avenue Proposed Location

  • Option 2 - Princess Street location:

    Ranger Park Child Care Facility - Princess Street Proposed Location

If funding is approved, feedback will help us choose the best location and guide the detailed design process. There are two ways to participate:

  1. Complete the Community Survey HERE (open until Dec. 20 at 4:30 pm). Paper copies of the survey are available at the Town Office.
  2. Attend the drop-in Open House at the Town Office (1027 Aldous Street) on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 12:00 pm–2:00 pm or 5:00 pm -7:00 pm.

If the Town’s ChildCareBC New Spaces application is approved, the detailed design process of the facility will begin using the preferred siting location. Part of this process includes an Environmental Phase 1 Report, a Geotechnical Report, a landscape plan, and an arborist report.

For more information on the Smithers Child Care Plan and initiatives please visit www.smithers.ca/childcare-implementation