Full costs of a transition housing and daycare project the Tamitik Status of Women wants to build on District of Kitimat-owned land at 461 Quatsino Boulevard aren’t yet known but there’s already nearly $4 million in hand for the daycare portion of construction.
Construction tenders have now closed on the project and are being reviewed by the District of Kitimat which will oversee construction.
The majority of the $4 million for the daycare portion comes from the provincial children and family development ministry at $3.23 million with the District of Kitimat adding $748,661 for a total of $3.98 million. This amount includes a 10 per cent contingency amount reflecting inflation and other building cost challenges.
The budget was set under the assumption the provincial BC Housing agency will provide the capital for the housing portion of the project. In 2020, Tamitik Status of Women was granted $500,000 to support construction of the project.
A signed copy of the housing agreement from BC Housing was received by the District of Kitimat’s legal team on Dec. 2, 2021, however, on Dec. 6, Tamitik Status of Women requested a correction to increase the number of second-stage housing units. In January 2022 the housing agreement bylaw was passed.
According to the Tamitik Status of Women’s website, the daycare will have 60 spaces which include 36 daytime spaces and 24 overnight spaces. There will also be 12 infant/toddler spaces, 16 school-age spaces and 32 multi-age spaces to accommodate children in the community.
The daycare will feature the inclusion of Haisla art, traditional foods and Elders on-site to foster a connection with the children through story-telling and traditional learning.
The housing portion of the project will include 20 long-term units, 12 second-stage housing units for women and children meant as a stepping stone for more permanent housing and up to 18 transition beds for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
Planning for the project goes back to 2020.