The former St. Magloire’s Anglican Church on Second Street West has a new use as Happy Dinos Playcare is setting up a new facility for child care.
After years of working on rebuilding a congregation, St. Magloire’s Anglican Church has been deconsecrated making it no longer a parish. However, it will continue on as the Mission of St. Magloirie’s.
The Mail reported in January 2017, the parish was facing tough times without many active members of the church. Fast forward to earlier this spring, the situation had not resolved itself, and the congregation was down to five families, leading to deconsecration. The parishioners held a goodbye mass.
Krysta Meekins has stepped in to fill a need in the community and is in the process of opening Happy Dinos Playcare, a non-profit child care facility.
Meekins has a strong background in childcare, spending more than 10 years in the industry, and was a director of a daycare in the Yukon. Her mother, Delaney Barton, also has vast experience and is helping set up the new facility.
“I have been living in Drumheller for two years now and we noticed there is a real shortage of childcare in the community, especially with the new $10 a day child care program coming in. There is going to be a lot more demand, and if there were not licenced spaces in the community, families would not be able to take advantage of that.”
She has been working hard to equip the facility and get all the proper regulatory approvals in place. The facility has a modern feel that is focused on discovery learning.
“We provide full-time care, but we are also hoping to have part-time space, as well. I use the world playcare because I want to emphasize a play-based approach. This is a child-led emergent curriculum through play,” Meekins said.
She says they will base their services on the need of the community but are looking at age one through school age, and afterschool care.
She is hoping to open in mid-July, and is working through the final phases of licencing.
To learn more, check out the Happy Dinos Playcare Facebook page, or e-mail director@happydinosplaycare.com
The remaining church community of St. Magloire’s is now carrying on and is meeting Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. at the Legion. The Anglican Church is helping them make the transition.
