They’re bursting at the seams.

From 12 children in 1976 to 472 in 2008 it’s no wonder the Child Development Centre needed to purchase bigger digs.

Wylie Bystedt presented council, Monday with a breakdown of CDC programs, growth and their capital campaign to fundraise for the cost and renovations of the new building.

“Right now we’re looking for a letter of support from you,” Bystedt said.

“The CDC continues to be recognized as a community leader in services for children with special needs.

“Many of the programs currently offered are provided throughout the community at schools, daycares, homes and other agencies.

“As the needs of the community have grown, so have the range and extent of the services we offer.”

The CDC’s mission is to provide services to children and their families who require extra support in a family-centred model which acknowledges and respects each individual. Their work consists of seven primary programs with all services and support flowing from those

seven programs.

They are:

• healthy mothers and babies program;

• infant development program;

• early intervention physiotherapy program;

• early intervention speech language programs;

• supported child development,

• school age occupational therapist; and

• family support.

In the past five years enrolment at the CDC has increased by 48 per cent, Bystedt said.

And they expect that rate of enrolment to continue for a number of years, which could mean five years from now, the CDC could be assisting more than 600 children and families.

Hence the need for the recent purchase of the Rigsby Lee building.

The new space has a gross area on three floors of approximately 23,600 square feet.

The lower ground floor contains 6,465 square feet and the top floor contain 8,832 square feet. The two top floors are for services provided by the CDC and related agencies.

The main floor of 7,430 square feet will be rented out to community agencies to provide an additional revenue steam for the CDC.

One point five million in funding contributions is needed in order to maximize the benefits of the location.

With this support the CDC will provide:

• an enhanced special needs daycare, which is currently unavailable in Quesnel;

• additional therapy rooms for splinting, fine and gross motor development;

• enhanced sensory rooms;

• library books and related learning materials; and

• space for parent observation room, family counseling and offices to amalgamate all services under one roof.

In order to achieve this goal the CDC is approaching the Variety Club, the Vancouver Foundation, applying for funds from both provincial and federal ministries and reaching out to the business and residential community. Council approved sending a letter of support at the Nov. 17 regular council meeting.

Centre buys new digs, asks council for support