Proposed daycare at former Saint John zoo targets fall opening

Local Journalism Initiative

June 28, 2024 at 9:58 a.m.·3 min read

The CEO of a daycare centre coming to the former Cherry Brook Zoo land says the project is "moving forward nicely" and hoping to welcome its first children this fall.

The Origins Natural Learning Childcare Centre's proposal to host a daycare on the site in Rockwood Park passed a public hearing at Saint John common council's June 10 meeting. CEO Erin Schryer said work is ongoing, but it's too early to project an opening date.

"The project is moving forward nicely. We anticipate welcoming our first children and families for care this fall, hopefully in September," she wrote in an email Wednesday.

Schryer said the centre is first looking to renovate an existing building, and is also applying for a permit for a new centre building which would be set to open in spring 2025.

"In the end we will welcome over 100 infants and preschoolers in these designated centres," she wrote. "We will add school-age children in time, but not in time for September, unfortunately."

She said that since January, they've received 375 requests for care, 88 of which came in within the last month.

"So, while we are excited and eager to contribute to much needed spaces in our community, we need more, and as quickly as we can," Schryer wrote.

Origins operates a 240-space centre on Burpee Ave. in the north end, 40 spaces on Millidge Avenue as well as 120 spaces at Landing Court in Quispamsis.

Schryer is also the owner and director of The Woods, a private elementary school plus early learning and childcare facility on Pettengill Road in Quispamsis.

Council voted in October to sell the former Cherry Brook Zoo site on Foster Thurston Drive after the zoo closed in April 2020 after 42 years. The land is zoned as park, which can include daycare centres, but it is currently not in the city's primary development area, so it needs a municipal plan amendment to allow it to receive city servicing like water and sewer, according to city planner Mark Reade.

There were no letters of opposition in advance of a May 22 planning advisory committee meeting, according to a report. Nobody spoke for or against at the public hearing, and council voted to approve first and second reading, with third reading to take place at a future meeting.

The zoo property is north of 1671 Sandy Point Road, which was controversially listed as surplus by council after a vote in February. The growth committee voted in May to refer that decision back for staff review after receiving more than 50 letters from residents opposing the move, which could lead to a sale or development proposal.

Coun. Gary Sullivan, who was acting mayor for the meeting, noted that daycare is an approved use for a park and called it a "respectful, wonderful use."

"Not only do we need daycare to support families and jobs in Saint John, but what a fantastic space for a daycare," Sullivan said. "For kids to be able to experience nature and outdoors in that setting, I think it's a wonderful replacement for that space, young people will still be enjoying nature, enjoying that space."

With files from Brunswick News Archives

Andrew Bates, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Telegraph-Journal

BBC
'India triumph as World Cup gets its Hollywood finale'
In a tournament billed as cricket's attempt to break into the US, India's dramatic win provides a Hollywood ending, writes Matthew Henry.
CBC
Goats are helping Niagara Parks mow down a big problem
When an invasive species threatened a recently restored wetland in Fort Erie, Ont., Niagara Parks put a team together to mow them down.Or a herd, rather.To stop the spread of phragmites, an invasive reed that's run rampant over an area called Gondor's Flats, environmental planning technician Victoria Kalenuik asked a local farmer to lend "as many goats as possible" for a one-week pilot project.She sent 40 of her best and they've been hard at work."Every morning they're excited to get out and che
CBC
'Just blown away': N.S. fire department donates fire truck to Saskatchewan community
When a fire chief in rural Nova Scotia came across a post about a fire department in rural Saskatchewan losing everything in a fire, he knew his department had to do something.Matthew Mundle, the fire chief in Shinimicas, N.S., decided the answer was to donate a fire truck.On the Canada Day weekend, the truck made its way toward Archerwill, Sask., a village of roughly 150 people located about 300 kilometres east of Saskatoon.Mundle is familiar with how devastating the loss of fire equipment can
CNN
They thought this rare, tiny flower was extinct since WWI. Now it’s a symbol of hope
Molly Parren was tracking a wood turtle in Vermont when she smelled something surprising, yet familiar. The amphibian scientist for the state’s wildlife agency traced the smell to a rare wild garlic and snapped a photo.
Business Insider
Hybrids are having a moment. Here's what you need to know if you're in the market.
Hybrids are more popular than ever, but not all hybrids are created equal.
CNN
Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, is rapidly approaching the Caribbean
Beryl is the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph with stronger gusts, according to a 5 p.m. EST update from the National Hurricane Center.
Canadian Press Videos
Extreme heat makes miserable and dangerous job worse for India's garbage pickers
India generates at least 62 million tons of waste annually, according to federal government records, and some of its landfills are literal mountains of garbage, like the Bhalswa landfill in New Delhi. And while a 2016 law made it mandatory to segregate waste so that hazardous material doesn't make its way to landfills, the law has been poorly enforced, adding to the risk of waste pickers. It is a potentially toxic miasma fed by the plastics, industrial, medical and other waste generated by millions living in the capital New Delhi and the teeming suburban cities. But a handful of waste pickers ignore both the fumes and suffocating heat to sort through the rubbish, seeking anything they can sell to earn a living. (AP video by Piyush Nagpal)
The Weather Network
Historic Hurricane Beryl declared Category 4 storm threatens southeast Caribbean
Beryl is one of the earliest hurricanes we've ever seen in the tropical Atlantic Ocean
The Canadian Press
Hurricane Beryl forecast to become a Category 4 storm as it nears southeast Caribbean
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Beryl is forecast to strengthen into a powerful Category 4 storm as it approaches the southeast Caribbean, which began shutting down Sunday amid urgent pleas from government officials for people to take shelter.
CBC
A trade war with China over EVs could slow Canada's low-carbon transition, groups warn
Environmental groups are calling on the federal government to avoid getting into a trade war with China over electric vehicles.They say they fear that trade sanctions could make EVs more expensive, delaying Canada's transition to a low-carbon economy.Less than a week after the federal government announced it was considering imposing trade restrictions on cheaper Chinese-made EVs, groups like Environmental Defence are urging Ottawa to consider the ramifications of such a move.Nate Wallace, Enviro
The Weather Network
Renewed storm risk as steady rain pushes into Ontario on Saturday
Expect a soggy start to the long holiday weekend as heavy rain and occasional thunderstorms sweep into Ontario
Biloxi Sun Herald
Hurricane hunters find Beryl’s winds have reached Cat 4 status, strengthening expected
The Windward Islands will soon be feeling the effects of a major hurricane.
CNN
Heat waves in Europe are getting more dangerous. Here’s what that means for travelers
Growing up in Texas, Mary Beth Walsh thought she was accustomed to high temperatures. Her hometown of Dallas, which is currently being blasted by unrelenting heat, frequently experiences heat waves.
Canadian Press Videos
Deadly weekend storms cause extensive flooding and landslides in Switzerland and Italy
Storms in Switzerland and northern Italy caused extensive flooding and landslides, leaving at least four people dead, authorities said Sunday.
The Weather Network
Strong wind, rotation risk as Sunday storms push into Maritimes
Stay alert for watches and warnings through the day Sunday
The Weather Network - Video
Long weekend severe storm risk brewing for Eastern Canada
The Trans Canada Low will be making its final stop in Atlantic Canada with a thunderstorm risk for severe possible on Sunday. Amandeep Purewal has more on the timing of this system and how this will impact those anticipating Canada Day fireworks.
Global News
Canada's new 'greenwashing' ban faces challenges from industry and provincial leaders
The federal government in Canada has implemented new regulations targeting "greenwashing," requiring companies to substantiate their environmental claims under the amended Competition Act. While environmental groups support the changes, opposition from industry and some provincial leaders persists. The new laws have caused concern in the energy industry and have been criticized for their vague nature. Heather Yourex-West reports.
CBC
70-year-old hand-made snowshoes returned to Gwich'in family in N.W.T.
A Gwich'in family in Fort McPherson, N.W.T., has a new heirloom after the son of a former RCMP officer returned a pair of 70-year-old snowshoes.The snowshoes were made by John Tetlichi in the 1950s, and he gifted them to an RCMP officer who had been transferred to work in Aklavik, N.W.T.That officer was Robert Feagan's father, Hugh Feagan. Robert spoke to CBC about the snowshoes, and his father's time in the North."He thought he was being smart," Robert said of his father. "Before he went to a A
CBC
Lytton was a 'magical' place. Then it burned to the ground.
It's been three years since Lytton, B.C., residents were given just minutes to flee their homes as a wildfire tore through the village, reducing their community to rubble. June 30, 2021, began hot. The village, about 150 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, had seen temperatures of 46.6 C and 47.9 C in the days leading up to it. On June 29, 2021, the temperature peaked at 49.6 C. On that fateful Wednesday, in the late afternoon, a wildfire sparked and quickly spread. Community members saw the fire
WMUR - Manchester
Auroras might be visible Friday night if skies stay clear
If the skies are clear Friday night, it might be possible to see the northern lights in New Hampshire.

Latest Stories