Port Moody moves forward with $4 million childcare project despite parking concerns

Port Moody council is moving ahead with plans for a proposed onsite childcare facility at the city’s civic complex, despite concerns over parking losses, project costs, and questions about long-term funding.

Council unanimously approved next steps for the project March 19, directing staff to explore partnership opportunities and return with a third-phase proposal for the facility, which could create 37 licensed childcare spaces in a modular building near the Inlet Centre civic campus.

“I like the idea that we are looking to support the expansion of daycare in our community,” said Coun. Diana Dilworth. “Certainly it’s something we’ve been hearing about as concerns from younger families that are moving into Port Moody.”

The proposed facility would include 12 infant and toddler spaces and 25 spaces for children aged three to five, with an estimated total project cost of about just over $4 million. It is intended to primarily serve city staff, though extra spaces will be made available to the general public.

Staff say the project could require removing between 14 and 17 parking spaces depending on the final design, with an alternate layout potentially eliminating as many as 26 spaces.

Parking concerns dominated much of the discussion, with several councillors pointing to recent decisions around parking availability at the civic complex.

Dilworth said she supported expanding childcare spaces but questioned what she described as conflicting priorities around parking management.

“I just need to say, we’re not prioritizing childcare over the farmers market, but we are looking at potentially permanently removing these parking spots when the farmers market were only using them one day a week, so I find that a little bit hypocritical,” Dilworth said.

The comments referenced council’s earlier decision to relocate the Port Moody Farmers Market from the recreation centre area amid ongoing parking pressures.

Staff acknowledged parking capacity remains a challenge at the civic complex but said a broader parking management strategy is already underway.

“Staff are currently looking at other ways to increase parking spaces in the civic campus area,” staff told council, adding future recommendations would come back through a separate parking management project.

Mayor Meghan Lahti said childcare expansion and parking solutions should not be treated as competing priorities.

“I see our commitment to providing this, or at least moving this forward, not as an either-or situation,” Lahti said, suggesting staff explore all possible parking solutions, including roadway changes on Knowle Street that could create additional spaces.

“I hope that we can come back with a project proposal that will really look closely at partnership exploration, because I think that that is going to be the way for us to be able to move this and advance this forward.”

Under the proposal, the daycare would be located in the civic complex parking lot near the recreation centre and amphitheatre area using modular construction – a layout staff say would reduce construction time, minimize disruption and lower costs.

The feasibility study found modular construction could cut timelines by 30 to 50 percent and potentially reduce costs by about 20 percent compared with traditional construction.

Coun. Kyla Knowles questioned whether enough evidence had been presented around need, noting council had recently received updated childcare inventory numbers.

“We’ve got about close to 1,700 licensed spots available currently,” Knowles said, adding she wanted more information on whether additional spaces remained necessary given projects already underway.

City manager Anna Mathewson said staff continue to believe demand exists but acknowledged more detailed information would come back in future reports.

“The need is there, we just don’t have the team here who could answer that at the ready,” Mathewson said.

The discussion around cost also generated caution from councillors, particularly given broader financial pressures facing municipalities.

Coun. Callan Morrison said he remained worried about building what he described as a multimillion-dollar facility during a period where many city priorities are competing for funding.

“Everything seems to be asking for more money, even after we get an initial estimate on it,” Morrison said. “I’d want to be making sure that we are doing this the most cost effective way possible.”

Staff emphasized the project remains in exploratory stages and said partnership models could significantly change how costs are shared.

Coun. Samantha Agtarap said exploring partnerships could allow the city to contribute land while outside operators or grant funding help cover construction and operating costs.

Phase three of the project will specifically examine partnership structures, roles, funding opportunities and whether private operators could build or operate the facility while the city provides land.

The project also faces several site constraints beyond parking, including floodplain considerations near Suter Brook Creek, archaeological sensitivities, utility conflicts and wildlife concerns related to nearby bear activity and mature cottonwood trees. 

Additional environmental and technical studies will be required before final designs move forward.

The proposed childcare centre forms part of the city’s broader childcare strategy. Port Moody’s Child Care Action Plan set a target of creating 610 new childcare spaces by 2030. 

Staff reported the city had added 456 new spaces since 2018 through grants and development projects, though more spaces remain in the pipeline.

Provincial funding remains uncertain. Staff noted the province paused intake for the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund in February, leaving future grants unclear and increasing the importance of partnership opportunities and alternative funding sources.