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The City of Port Colborne, together with Niagara Region and the YMCA of Niagara, officially broke ground today on the construction of a new licensed child care facility at 76 Main Street West, marking a major milestone in expanding access to high-quality, affordable child care for local families.
Approved by Port Colborne City Council on November 12, 2025, the project will transform the former Port Colborne Visitor Information Centre into a modern, inclusive, and purpose-built child care space. Once complete, the new facility will increase the number of licensed spaces available in the community, addressing long-standing gaps in access to spaces within Port Colborne.
The project is funded through federal and provincial governments’ investments in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care program and is aligned with Niagara Region’s Early Learning and Child Care Directed Growth Plan, with the YMCA of Niagara serving as the facility’s operator. The Region has approved $2 million in Early Learning and Child Care infrastructure funding and $441,000 in start-up funding, supporting the creation of high-quality, inclusive licensed child care spaces.
To meet provincial funding requirements, construction will be completed by December 2026. However, occupancy is anticipated by late summer 2026.
The total project cost is estimated at $2.75 million. Federal-provincial funding will cover roughly 75% of construction, with the remaining costs funded through a $500,000 City loan repaid over 30 years and $250,000 allocated from the City’s existing capital roads and sidewalk replacement budget.
Working closely with the YMCA of Niagara, the City has developed an architectural design that reflects the heritage and character of the existing building while accommodating the needs of a fully licensed child care centre. The historic portion of the structure will also be available for community use outside regular child care hours.
Quotes:
“This project is a wonderful example of what we can achieve when all levels of government and community partners work together to support families. By investing in new child care spaces we are creating more opportunities for children to learn and grow while also supporting parents, strengthening our workforce, and helping build a more vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous Niagara.”
- Sandra Easton, Acting Regional Chair, Niagara Region
“This groundbreaking shows what collaboration can achieve. Together with Niagara Region and the YMCA of Niagara, we’re building a modern, high-quality child care centre that honours the heritage of this site while meeting the needs of today’s families. It’s a great example of how we can grow as a community without losing sight of the buildings and stories that shape Port Colborne.”
- William Steele, Mayor, City of Port Colborne
“Providing families with access to high-quality, inclusive licensed child care is one of the most meaningful ways we can support a growing community. The YMCA of Niagara is proud to work closely with the City of Port Colborne and the Niagara Region to bring this new centre to life — a strong example of how we can forge connections to meet local needs. This centre will play an important role in supporting working families and creating opportunities for children to fulfil their potential.”
- Christian Wulff, Chief Executive Officer, YMCA of Niagara
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