Nearly one year ago the Southwest Daycare and Early Learning Centre (SWDC) had to relocate from their 4th Avenue SW location after embarking on what was initially a simple cosmetic renovation. They have been in their temporary location within Empire School at a reduced capacity.  

This reduced capacity is particularly pressing as SWDC fills a crucial niche within the community — they operate with more accommodating hours than most other daycares and dedicate a large portion of their capacity to specialized care. 

“Typically, we have 54 children that we are licensed for, and 25 per cent of that we dedicate to medically fragile or special needs children,” said Taylor Brake, Assistant Director.  

“But right now we only able to operate at 40 children due to our temporary location.” 

Brake said they have over 100 families on their waitlist that need care.  

SWDC is holding numerous fundraising events to get them closer to their goal of returning to their home and operating at full capacity.  

“We’ve been lucky enough to have a few significant donations come in lately that have made a huge impact on our campaign. But we aren’t even halfway there yet,” said Brake. 

She says that the repairs are still underway, but significant progress has been made. 

“The rafters are up, and it's covered,” said Brake,” and then they will put the finishing touches on. And all of the inside building is still needing to be done. So, a bit quite a bit left, but the time is coming.” 

With their ‘Raising the Roof’ campaign sitting at $70,000 of their $200,000 goal, SWDC is holding numerous fundraising events to get them closer to their goal of returning to their home and operating at full capacity.  

The children have been instrumental in the fundraising efforts, having kickstarted the campaign with a bottle drive they organized.  

One of the fundraisers the organization will be holding is a rib night fundraiser at the Crushed Can Sportsbar & Nightclub on Friday, April 26 which will start at 4:30 p.m.  

A penny parade and silent auction will accompany the rib night dinner as well as a draw for a framed Green Bay Packers Legends Memorabilia Piece.  

Tickets for the rib night fundraiser can be purchased for $25 in advance by calling 306-681-3838 or at the Crushed Can the night of the event. 

SWDC will also be setting up at Peavey Mart on May 4, to take part in a BBQ and present some educational activities with a sensory table for children who attend. Giving an opportunity to see what the daycare does while showcasing the importance of having childcare in the community. 

Brake says that being out of their original location has had quite an impact on the children.  

“They still talk about our old centre, we try to explain to them that we’re still going back there.” said Brake, “We do walks over to see the progress that’s been happening and they’re very excited.