Black River-Matheson breaks ground on first licensed daycare centre

Ground has been broken on Black River-Matheson's first licensed childcare centre, a $1.5-million project creating 39 spaces.

CTV News recently reported on a new motel, restaurants and a gas station being built in Black River-Matheson. Now, ground has been broken on the community’s first licensed childcare centre.

The new facility is expected to help address a growing need for childcare while supporting families and future growth in the municipality.

The centre is being built on Park Lane, on land that has been a place for children to play for generations.

Black River-Matheson Mayor Dave Dyment said the municipality worked with the Cochrane District Services Board to determine the need for the project.

“It was needed for growth. It was needed for the families. It was needed for the local economy,” Dyment said.

The $1.5 million project will create 39 licensed childcare spaces, including 15 spaces for toddlers and 24 for preschoolers. The development will also include an EarlyON Family Centre.

The project is funded through the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund, which supports the creation of new child care spaces.

Officials with the services board said childcare demand is increasing across the district with childcare utilization having increased 14 per cent since 2024 and 869 children currently waiting for care throughout the district.

“The Canada-wide early learning and childcare funding allows us to address need, which are called childcare deserts, and Black River-Matheson has had one for a long time,” said Brian Marks, the board’s CAO.

Shannon Costello, the board’s director of children’s services, told CTV News the number of children aged zero to four has tripled in the district since the last census, adding that some families in Matheson have had to travel outside the community to access care.

“The reality for the families that currently are working in Matheson and out of Matheson are having to drive to South Porcupine, Timmins, Iroquois Falls,” said Costello.

Costello said 22 children are already on the waitlist for the new centre in Black River-Matheson, meaning it would be about half full if it opened today.

Residents said they support bringing more childcare to the community, but some have concerns about the impact on green space.

Long-time resident, Ann McKenzie said the daycare is needed, but she would have preferred the building be located elsewhere.

“It’s a concern, like we would have liked to have kept the space. We are looking forward to the daycare 100 per cent. We do need it,” said Mckenzie.

“Like I retired to babysit. I have friends that have retired to babysit,” she added.

Another resident, Rick Larviere said people are not against the project, but they wanted more public space preserved.

“It’s a good thing that we’re getting a daycare. We’re not opposed to that. We just wanted it over a little bit so that the public could have more playing space,” said Larviere.

The Cochrane District Services Board said it plans to have the remaining green space to continue to serve as a community hub.

The new childcare centre is expected to open in early 2027. Childcare services will be provided by a licensed provider selected through a request for proposal process, while EarlyON services will be operated by the board.