River Run Early Care and Learning Centre now open in Richmond’s Bridgeport area

09 February 2021

The River Run Early Care and Learning Centre, located in Richmond’s Bridgeport neighbourhood had an official virtual opening ceremony on February 9, 2021. The City-owned child care facility, which commenced operations in September 2020, provides up to 77 spaces of licensed child care for infants, toddlers and children up to twelve years old.

“The City is pleased to open a new child care facility to serve the families who live and work in Richmond. This facility will provide quality child care in the Bridgeport neighbourhood,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “The City is committed to being an active partner with senior governments, parents, the private sector and non-profit agencies to develop and maintain a comprehensive child care system in Richmond.”

The River Run Early Care and Learning Centre is the tenth City-owned, purpose-built child care facility in Richmond. Operated by the Atira Women’s Resource Society, the child care facility, located at 10277 River Drive, has approximately 600 m2 (6,500 sq. ft.) of indoor space and 460 m2 (5,000 sq. ft.) of outdoor space.

Under the City’s Community Amenity Contribution policies, Western-Citimark contributed this child care facility in the Northview Estates development. The City took ownership of the facility in June 2020 and the child care opened in September 2020. Atira Women’s Resources Society, which operates the centre, received a Childcare BC New Spaces Grant from the Province of BC to assist with the cost of furniture and equipment for the facility.

The City now owns ten purpose-built child care facilities throughout Richmond. In total, these facilities provide 384 licensed child care spaces. The new facility is part of Richmond City Council’s ongoing efforts to expand the supply of child care spaces in Richmond.

An additional future child care facility and two early childhood development hubs have been secured through rezoning processes. Combined, these new facilities are expected to add approximately 200 licensed child care spaces to Richmond’s child care supply in the next two years.

The 2017-2022 Richmond Child Care Needs Assessment and Strategy sets out City Council’s vision for the next five years. Council will continue to support and partner with senior levels of government, the non-profit sector and private businesses to encourage the development of a comprehensive child care system, providing spaces in Richmond’s neighbourhoods.

For more information on Atira Women’s Resource Society and child care spaces at this facility, please visit https://atira.bc.ca/what-we-do/program/river_run/. Further information on child care in Richmond can be found at www.richmond.ca/plandev/socialplan/childcare/overview.