Vacant lot in Moody Centre to be repurposed for daycare in Port Moody

A little relief will be coming to Port Moody parents seeking to get their kids into daycare, for the next three years at least.

On July 23, Port Moody council unanimously approved a temporary-use permit (TUP) to allow a prefabricated daycare building to be installed on the southeast corner of St. Johns Street and Hugh Street.

“It looks like this is the one thing we can all agree on,” said Coun. Samantha Agtarap. “We definitely need more childcare spots, and before and after school care.”

The 8,700 sq. ft. daycare will have space for up to 36 children, and will provide a range of services, including an infant and toddlers program, a group daycare, a pre-school program, pre-kindergarten, out of school-care, and summer camps. 

Staff said an outdoor children’s play space has been approved by Fraser Health, and will face St. Andrews Street for functionality and safety.

The residential-zoned land is currently vacant, and will likely be consolidated with adjacent lands for a development in the future, according to the staff report.

Acorn Early Childhood Education approached well-known local volunteer and heritage advocate, Fred Soofi, about setting up a daycare on the property. Soofi had purchased  the lot in order to relocate a heritage home in 2017 to save it from demolition.

He said he’s had many offers to repurpose the site for other temporary uses, such as car lots and food trucks, but stressed that Port Moody needs daycares.

“I didn’t want that type of business,” Soofi said. “The daycare is a great future for it. Let’s go for it.”

TUPs are granted on a case-by-case basis, and allow commercial or industrial uses on a property outside of its prescribed zoning. The permits last for a period of up to three years, and can be renewed for an additional three years.

However, staff added there was nothing stopping an owner from applying to rezone the property in the future, or ask for another TUP.

Councillors and several residents at the meeting spoke about the dire need for more daycare spaces in the community.

“I have a single-mother friend who lives in Moody Center right now who desperately needs childcare for her two daughters beginning next month, and she cannot find anything,” Coun. Kyla Knowles said.

Several variances related to parking reductions and setbacks were requested, but staff did not raise any concerns.

Agtarap said she thought the variances were appropriate, noting the Moody Centre Skytrain Station is just a short walk away, trees will be retained, and more play space will be added for kids.

Councillors also praised Soofi for his continued dedication to community improvement.

“Trust Fred Soofi to save a heritage house and then put up a daycare,” said Coun. Amy Lubik, adding that she hopes this TUP will set a precedent within the city where underutilized land is repurposed for other temporary uses to service public need.