Shaunavon’s Children’s Learning Centre celebrates official opening of new expansion

Posted on September 29, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

The Shaunavon Children’s Learning Centre officially celebrated another important milestone on Thursday, Sept. 17, hosting a grand opening for its new building expansion.

The new addition, constructed on the east side of the existing building, effectively doubles the size of the facility. It introduces new play spaces and enhanced learning environments for local youth. The addition allowed an additional 20 childcare spaces at the facility.

The evening event was a celebration of the expansion and featured food, refreshments, a formal ribbon-cutting, and addresses from local officials. Board members, staff, families and dignitaries were all in attendance.

“Our journey began long before we became incorporated as a Shaunavon daycare in October, 1995,” said Delana Floberg, the centre’s Admin Supervisor, who has been with the organization since its inception. “It started as a vision for community members that understood the necessity of quality childcare.”

Floberg took time during the ceremony to thank mayor Cal Vance, town council members, past and present staff and volunteer board members, and local businesses that donated time and money over the decades.

She also extended gratitude to the provincial ministry and local childcare consultant Karla Bakken for recognizing rural Saskatchewan’s need for increased licensed childcare and for providing funding that helped jumpstart the process for the new addition.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Cal Vance emphasized that projects like this are very positive because they show a clear need for these types of services. Vance noted that it is a sign that young families are raising their children in the community or choosing to move to the area. He added that there is obviously a need, and that the project is a sign that the town is expanding.

“It’s good news for the community and offers another reason why people will want to move to Shaunavon,” he stated.

Gladys Escabillas, the Centre’s Director, emphasized the deep connection between the facility and the families it serves. Escabillas shared a heartfelt thank you to the parents, former board members, and the wider community for their continuous support, encouragement, and involvement.

She noted that their trust and support played an important role in making the expansion possible, adding that they are truly grateful for everyone who helped along the way and that they appreciate each and every person and everything they do for the centre.

The daycare’s physical history is a story of adaptation to community needs. The doors first opened on December 1, 1995, providing the first licensed childcare spaces in Shaunavon at 404 First Street West. Located at the historic brick Masonic Hall – then known as the Kin Hall – the centre was initially licensed for just 20 children. By January 1999, the growing learning centre moved into a house it purchased at 515 Fifth Avenue West behind Christ the King School playground, allowing it to increase its child care spaces.

Seeking a permanent and modern home, the organization acquired a 90-foot lot just south of the Christ the King Church Hall from the Town of Shaunavon for just $1 in 2002. Moving into the brand-new, 2,000-square-foot facility in September 2003 allowed the facility to increase its licensed capacity.

The latest expansion idea arose in 2022, when regional requests for preschool care overwhelmed the building’s capacity. Floberg explained that the requests for preschool care began to increase beyond what they could accommodate, forcing them to turn children away. It was at that point the board decided it was time to look at building onto the existing facility.

The project secured funding through the Canada-Saskatchewan Early Learning and Childcare Agreement to help bring the expansion to life.

With construction now finalized, the centre has effectively doubled its preschool availability, jumping from 20 to 40 dedicated preschool spaces. Floberg shared that she is excited to report that they now have

40 preschool children registered to fill those spaces.

The increase in demand is tied to governmental programming changes.

Under the current framework, families with children under six in regulated childcare environments receive care capped at $10 per day, or

$217.50 per month, across infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age spaces.