After suffering a devastating fire late last year, Novaco Childcare Centre now has the money in place to rebuild thanks to a major fundraising push by the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber's annual Governors' Gala on May 15 raised a total of $160,000 in support of two local organizations - North Shore Neighbourhood House, which operates the daycare, and Presentation House Theatre. Of that, $110,000 will be put towards
rebuilding Novaco. The remainder of the estimated $200,000 construction cost will be covered by insurance and other contributions.
"I'm really pleased and excited at the response that the community has had to this issue," says Jim Belsheim, president of Neptune Terminals, which sponsored the gala. "It's a bit of a magic moment for the North Shore."
Belsheim says that 10 companies - mostly waterfront businesses - donated $5,000 or more each and another 14 companies donated between $1,000 and $3,000 each. Additionally, 125 companies donated items to the silent and live auctions.
NSNH executive director Lisa Hubbard says the organization is already in talks with Britco to rebuild Novaco on its same site on Redwood Street. The daycare had been open since
1973 until a suspicious fire in the early morning hours of Dec. 28, 2013 resulted in the total loss of three modular buildings. All the children had to be relocated.
"Losing the childcare was devastating, obviously," Hubbard says, adding, "I was so thankful that no one got hurt and there was no other damage to the neighbours' homes or the (Norgate elementary) school, so that was something we were very grateful for."
The new facility will maintain the same capacity with space for 25 threeto five-year-olds and 12 preschoolers.
Since much of the building fabrication can be done offsite, Hubbard is hopeful work can begin quickly.
"I would like to think it could happen within the summer so that we could be open for September. That's our goal," she says.
