Following much deliberation and efforts to address rising operational costs, the BGC (formally Boys & Girls Club) of Red Deer & District has announced that it will be discontinuing its licensed childcare service in Rocky Mountain House as of Feb. 28, 2025.
The decision follows a significant decline in enrollment and ongoing challenges in maintaining the program’s sustainability.
While the club is ending its childcare services, it is not stepping away from the community, says Rob Lewis, executive director of Youth HQ, which oversees BGC operations.
Instead, he says BGC is shifting its focus toward creating new, community-based programs designed to better serve the needs of local children, youth, and families. The decision aims to make more effective use of funding from government, the United Way and Family & Community Support Services (FCSS), as well as to address identified gaps in community programming.
The new initiatives targeting teens and youth, including after-school programs, drop-in activities, homework assistance, and leadership development opportunities. These programs will focus on preparing young people for adulthood through skill-building activities that foster independence, employability, and leadership.
The shift away from licensed childcare is due, in part, to a dramatic decline in enrollment. In its early stages, Lewis says the program had more than 80 children enrolled each month. However, over time, that number has dropped to less than half. The primary funding for the program came from the fees families paid and government subsidies, but with declining enrollment, maintaining the program was no longer financially feasible.
Despite the challenges faced by the childcare program, Lewis expressed gratitude for the support of the community and looks forward to expanding BGC’s impact in new ways. “We are grateful to be part of the community in Rocky Mountain House, and we look forward to doing some great work. We hope to find a lot greater success in the change in programming than we were with the childcare space,” said Lewis.
The centre is location along 49 St. in Rocky Mountain House.
About BGC of Red Deer & District
BGC (formerly Boys and Girls Club) provides fun after school and out-of-school programs and activities to give young people the opportunities to develop their potential and achieve their dreams. As youth develop positive, healthy relationships with peers, role models and family members, they can become the best versions of themselves and develop into the leaders of tomorrow. BGC of Red Deer & District was started in 1983, and currently serves over 900 youth in 12 communities around central Alberta.
About Youth HQ
Youth HQ empowers youth by fostering a community of support. Our network seeks to instill young people with confidence in their unique identities and abilities, providing them with skills for life through knowledge, healthy relationships, and quality experiences while providing safe environments to learn and grow. Youth HQ coordinates programming for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Red Deer & District and BGC of Red Deer & District, offering numerous programs and services that support children, youth, and families.
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