The City of Guelph will sell 95 Willow Road—the existing City parcel of land where Willowdale Child Care and Learning Centre is located—to Wellington County for the redevelopment of a new child care and learning centre.
Wellington County will purchase the site for $150,000.
City Council directed the City and Wellington County to enter into an agreement of purchase and sale for 95 Willow Road and to attend to re-zoning so the property is correctly zoned for daycare at Monday’s City Council meeting.
“This has been a challenging situation. I’m pleased the County and City worked together to find solutions, so that child care service can be restored for Willowdale families as soon as possible,” said Mayor Farbridge.
“The County and the City have worked hard to get the child care program up and running in the Willowdale area as quickly as possible,” said Warden Chris White. “Both parties will continue to work together to restore this much needed service later next year.”
The County vacated the existing Willowdale Child Care and Learning Centre on May 3 of this year due to concerns with vermiculite insulation in the facility. Since then, the City and County investigated several other potential sites within the designated geographic area, all of which presented various challenges.
City Executive Director of Community and Social Services, Derrick Thomson, says “partnering with Wellington County to find the best outcomes for families has been rewarding. I think both parties feel we’ve landed on the right answer for all involved.”
“This service disruption has been challenging. I would like to thank the Willowdale families and staff for their patience during this transitional period,” commented Luisa Artuso, Director of Child Care Services for the County. “Everyone is looking forward to resuming this important child care program in a brand new building and in the same area.”