Peachland Councillor Terry Condon raised concerns about accountability if the district鈥檚 planned childcare centre exceeds its $12.2 million budget.

At the Nov. 26 council meeting, Condon asked staff if the provincial government had given specific guidelines on spending the funds provided through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund.

鈥淥r have they given us a bucket full of money and said build a childcare centre?鈥�

Mayor Patrick Van Minsel clarified that the district has flexibility in designing the centre to meet community needs but acknowledged that other municipalities have underestimated building costs.

鈥淭aking that into account, we asked for $12.2 million,鈥� said Van Minsel. 鈥淚 think we did that prudently. I think we went 30 percent over what we needed. So everything is pretty much covered, Councillor Condon.鈥�

The mayor suggested that Condon meet with staff for further details, which Condon plans to do.

The new childcare centre will create 104 much-needed spaces, including 24 for infants and toddlers, 32 for preschool-aged children, and 48 for school-aged kids. It will be built next to Peachland Elementary School.

Preparatory work around the site is set to begin in April, with construction of the facility starting in June.