City changes bylaw to allow for 24-hour child care, shift work flexibility

A child care facility can now offer services for 24 hours a day in Cold Lake.

The City passed their land-use bylaw amendment at Tuesday’s council meeting following second and third reading to change the hours a childcare could operate.

No one spoke during the mandated public hearing.

Mayor Craig Copeland said this could allow an option for providers to give parents during shift work the chance to use child care.

“We had a company come out and meet with us before Christmas, looking at kicking the tires in Cold Lake,” Mayor Craig Copeland told Lakeland Connect. 

“They see the area is a really young community. A lot of kids. They’re looking at an opportunity that maybe they bring their business model here, which is they operate 24 hours a day.” 

According to City notes, several major employers in the Cold Lake region have indicated their desire to see 24-hour care available in the city.

“They’re looking at some space in Cold Lake…we’re open to the idea. I think it would go over pretty good.”