News

News Release: The Child Development Centre to host open house to celebrate new building

September 25, 2023

FOR RELEASE

The Child Development Centre (CDC) is hosting an open house to celebrate their new location at 206 Hanson Street. The public is invited to tour the building on Wednesday, September 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

In July 2021, the CDC vacated their space attached to the Department of Education building at 1000 Lewes Boulevard, as mould was discovered in the section they occupied. Since that time the Centre has operated out of several temporary locations throughout Whitehorse. The new location on Hanson Street was renovated to meet the needs of families, children and staff.  Employees moved into the building at the end of August.

The new building includes ample rooms for staff to see children and families. There is also a therapeutic physiotherapy gym, a large conference room, and a therapeutic preschool with an outdoor play area on the adjacent deck. The outdoor play area was made possible due to a substantial donation of $25,000 from Casino Mining, and $15,000 from the Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society.

The CDC received funding of over $2.6 million from the Government of Yukon for the renovations and furniture for the new building. The departments of Education and Highways and Public Works provided immense support throughout the many moves.

Quotes:

“We are very excited to be in our new building. It is great to have a location that is accessible and has the space to offer all of our programs and services under one roof. It has been a difficult few years as we navigated providing services out of multiple locations and moving a total of five times. We are very grateful for the financial support from the Government of Yukon, and the local businesses and organizations which have provided financial support by "adopting" rooms in our centre."

– Alayne Squair, Executive Director, Child Development Centre

 

“We know how important the Child Development Centre’s location in Whitehorse is to providing services to not only those living in the capital, but all Yukon families and children, who benefit from therapies, programs and other supports. We take great pride in offering both administrative and financial assistance to the CDC, helping them to maintain their excellent child-centric programs within a beautiful and comforting new space."

– Jeanie McLean, Minister of Education, Government of Yukon

 

"The Child Development Centre has been a constant in my family’s life for the last eight years. Even through the difficult last few years with COVID and moving to multiple different locations, our CDC team has been there through every hurdle and every question we had. With the completion of this new home for the CDC, I know current and new families will be able to find the support and warmth my family has felt."

– Krystal Baker, parent and member of the Child Development Centre Family Partnership Council

 

Facts:

• The Child Development Centre is a non-profit organization, which provides therapeutic supports such as speech-language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, developmental therapy and psychology to children from birth to kindergarten entry.
• The Centre’s therapists travel to all Yukon communities and provide services to more than 1100 children and families a year.
• The Child Development Centre has operated in the Yukon since 1979.
• In addition to Casino Mining and the Whitehorse Firefighters Charitable Society, other local businesses that have adopted rooms include Northland Beverages, Riverstone Dental, Graham Frey and Marj Eschak - Coldwell Banker Redwood Realty, and Polar Eyes Optometry.
• Child Development Centre services are free and confidential. Referrals do not need to be made by a physician. Parents and caregivers can make a referral themselves at cdcyukon.ca/referral or by calling 867-456-8182.

Contact

Michelle Boleen
Communications and Policy Advisor

Child Development Centre
867-456-8182 ext 153 
michelle.boleen@cdcyukon.ca

www.cdcyukon.ca

 

A pdf copy of the news release is available here.