GERALDTON----The Municipality of Greenstone and the Superior-Greenstone District School Board (SGDSB) hosted the grand opening ceremony for Geraldton Day Care Centre and EarlyON Centre, August 31, 2022.
The formal ceremony began with a welcome from Master of Ceremonies, Mark Wright, CAO Municipality of Greenstone, who then introduced multiple speakers including:
- Principal of B.A. Parker Public School – Heidi Cloutier
- Mayor of Greenstone – Renald Beaulieu
- Municipal Manager of Day Cares & Parent – Tatum Blanchette
- SGDSB Trustee and Parent - Allison Jarvis
- Director of Education – Nicole Morden Cormier
The speeches spoke to the process that resulted in the retrofitting and expansion of B.A. Parker Public School to include the Geraldton Day Care & EarlyON Centres. Guest speakers highlighted the background of the project, and the main theme of the afternoon which was to celebrate the great partnerships and working relationships that made this project possible.
Funding for the project was confirmed by the Ministry of Education in 2017, and in partnership with the Municipality of Greenstone. As well it was supported by the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board. In addition, DSGDSB led the team that enabled the establishment of the partnerships.
Following the formal ceremony, a ribbon cutting took place to officially open the centre. Once guests and dignitaries moved inside the facility, a Smudging was performed by Chantal Barrett, from the Thunderbird Friendship Centre.
Everyone was able to take a tour of the new, facility led by Tatum Blanchette, Municipal Manager of Day Cares.
Members of the community who attended the grand opening included: SGDSB superintendent of education, Eric Fredrickson, SGDSB Early Years System principal, Hillary Freeburn, and municipal councillors Matthew Donovan, Elaine Mannisto, and James McPherson.
Municipality of Greenstone Mayor, Renald Y. Beaulieu, shared his thoughts about the occasion by stating, “The Municipality is thrilled to have a modern facility that offers warm, inviting spaces for the children in our community. We are very appreciative of the opportunity afforded to us by the Ministry of Education and all the partners involved, to allow us to offer more spaces to meet the needs of the community.”
The Superior-Greenstone District School Board Director of Education, Nicole Morden Cormier explained that, “The building expansion supports a seamless and integrated system of programs and services that is in line with the Ministry’s vision for the creation of community hubs. As educators we know that transitions between programs, care and educational settings are crucial to student well-being and directly influences the level of success students will experience. The new complex provides high quality, accessible programs with continuity for children and families, from birth to adulthood. We are extremely grateful for the funding and partnerships that made this project possible.”
