Council unanimously approved a conditional use application Sept. 19 that will enable Thompson Children’s World Daycare to move from its current location in the USW Local 6166 Steel Centre on Elizabeth Drive to a vacant space in the Westwood Mall.
The new location, in the southwest corner of the building near Westwood Drive, is 5,000 square feet and includes an 25-by-148-foot outdoor portion that will be converted into a play area.
Council allowed a daycare as an accessory use in an area zoned commercial mixed use provided that the building owner moves the fire department connection to the front of the building, that the outdoor play area is grassed over and fenced in on three sides with a locking gate to provide an alternate exit in the event of a fire. The day care operators will also have to provide a site plan for the outdoor play area and comply with all provincial regulations that apply to daycare centres.
“The building manager of Westwood Mall has assured this department he has every intention of moving the fire department connection to the front of the building but is waiting for approval of the conditional use,” said a Sept. 12 memo to mayor and council from building inspector Margaret Somerleigh. “There are several things pending approval of the conditional use, an architect has been retained to design the window area, in order to maximize the amount of light that enters the interior of the daycare, installation of sod for the play area and enclosing the play area with fencing.”
No comments on the proposal were received during the conditional use public hearing that preceded the regular council meeting.
“Child care is important and it’s nice to see that they are moving this to another area,” said Coun. Penny Byer.
