Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto open new Aquabella child care centre on Toronto’s waterfront

October 19, 2023, Toronto, ON— Today, Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik (Spadina-Fort York) was joined by Meg Davis, Chief Development Officer, Waterfront Toronto and Anne Babcock, President & CEO WoodGreen Community Services, to officially open the Aquabella Child Care Centre at 75 Edgewater Dr.

The new child care centre is located in the Aquabella Condominium building as part of the third phase of the Bayside development on the east waterfront area of Toronto. The centre has one infant room, two toddler rooms and two preschool rooms with a total capacity for 62 children.

There are several unique features of this new child care centre. The playground, the first of its kind, is located on the second floor and is partially covered so that children can enjoy the outdoors regardless of the weather. Murals inspired by local wildlife were commissioned to decorate the walls of each play space, with play equipment following the same wildlife theme. Extensive soundproofing has also been included in the centre’s construction to minimize sound transfer to neighbouring residential units.

The new child care centre is within walking distance of rapidly expanding residential communities and supports the growing number of young families living on the waterfront while helping to create a complete community where people can live, work, play and raise a family.

The City of Toronto owns the child care centre space and WoodGreen Community Services was selected through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to operate the centre. WoodGreen is a non-profit child care operator that participates in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care funding program, which will reduce fees to approximately $10 per day and also accepts child care fee subsidies, helping to reduce the cost of child care.

Quotes:
 

“I am thrilled that families will have access to this beautiful, purpose-built 62-space child care centre on a revitalized waterfront. As this new neighbourhood continues to grow, it’s essential that communities have access to the infrastructure, programs and services that support them.”
– Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik (Spadina-Fort York)

“Waterfront residents tend to be younger and more reliant on transit or walking to get around when compared to other Torontonians. This new Aquabella centre puts childcare within reach of a growing number of young families residing along the waterfront.”
– Meg Davis, Chief Development Officer, Waterfront Toronto

“WoodGreen is committed to meeting the needs of families in Toronto as a trusted provider of high-quality child care. The Aquabella Child Care Centre provides us with an opportunity to extend our child care services into a new community. We are grateful to all our partners who share our vision of creating a safe, welcoming and enriched early learning environment.”
– Anne Babcock, President & CEO, WoodGreen Community Services

Image Gallery:

Meg Davis, Waterfront Toronto's Chief Development Officer speaks at the official opening of the new Aquabella child care centre.

Left to Right: Meg Davis, Elane Levy, Stephanie Nickle, Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, Anne Babcock
 

Meg Davis reads a story at the opening of the child care centre.

Children and families exploring the new Aquabella child care centre.

Media Contact:

media@waterfrontoronto.ca