A Headingley daycare centre is about to enjoy a bright new beginning.

Bright Beginnings Educare officially moved into its new, state-of-the-art facility on April 25.
Board president Gerry Munday, who participated in last week’s ribbon cutting ceremony, said seeing the final result was worth all the hard work it took to complete the $1.2-million centre.

"This centre has been several years in the making and it is very exciting to have a state-of-the-art childcare centre for the community for many years to come," Munday said. "It’s an important staple for any growing community to provide childcare."

Munday said the new building will provide a total of 80 childcare spaces — including six new infant care spaces — an increase of 30 spaces compared to the daycare’s former site.

Headingley resident Jasper Bain, 8, used to attend the daycare when it was still in the Church of Winnipeg south of Roblin Boulevard. The youngster said she was so impressed with the new facility she wishes she still had a reason to visit it.

"The other daycare wasn’t very nice and this is way better than the old one," she said.

Her mother, Bonnie Bain, who is also a member of the centre’s board of directors, said that the board has been working on obtaining a new facility since she started with the daycare almost seven years ago.

"When we incorporated and set up a parent board, that was our first goal to set up a new daycare centre," she said. "It’s a huge relief to finally see this done because Headingley needs a facility like this."

The elder Bain said that as the community grows with more young families, the new centre will ensure people feel secure about dropping their children off.

"It’s a welcoming place to bring your child and as a parent when you bring you child in to drop them off, you feel good leaving them in such a warm and inviting place," she said. "I am very happy about how it turned out."

Daycare director Melodie Meakin said kids began coming to the new facility on May 1 and expects they will appreciate the new environment.

"We are excited about all the windows and natural light, we are excited about the fresh air quality," she said. "It’s just all around great."

prescott.james@canstarnews.com