PoCo Place childcare expansion gets green light
It’s not even built and it’s already expanding.
On Tuesday evening, Port Coquitlam council unanimously approved new zoning for Kidscool Early Learning Centre, allowing the PoCo Place Mall childcare to accommodate 74 children.
Space at the childcare was formerly capped at 50.
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Two residents objected to the expansion, arguing that a commercial lot is inappropriate for childcare. The residents, both of whom remained anonymous, also raised concerns about increased noise as well as worsening traffic and a corresponding risk of collisions.
Coun. Steve Darling, calling the childcare a “great idea,” particularly among the dearth of options in the Westwood area.
“It’s a perfect place to drop your kids off and head off to work,” he said during Tuesday’s meeting.
The design of the childcare includes four classrooms for infants and toddlers, one room for children between the ages of three and five, as well as a 2,000-square foot outdoor play area.
Located on the ground floor of the office tower, “the additional child care spaces are not expected to have a negative impact on neighbouring units,” according to a city staff report. The strip mall also includes an H-Mart, a Michael’s, and several smaller stores and eateries.
A total of 11 parking spots are allocated to the childcare’s pick-up and drop-off. There are approximately 600 parking spaces at the mall.
Childcare
In 2019, the city set a goal of adding a total of 1,449 new child care by 2030.
According to a city staff report, the city has added about 970 childcare spots, including 133 so far this year.
The city is reviewing applications for another 188 childcare spaces.
The neighbourhood
The Westwood Woodland area is designed for high-density mixed-use development.
Earlier this year, a six-tower development earmarked for 2775 Lougheed Hwy. at Westwood Street was delayed.
Construction was initially set to begin as early as 2027. However, developer Wesbild opted to postpone the project.
“At this time the market just doesn’t support that in their opinion,” said Port Coquitlam director of planning Bruce Irvine.
Besides 80,000 square feet of retail space, and a childcare facility, the project was set to include about 2,000 units.
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