Mosman Council plans to redevelop, take over Balmoral Park childcare centre
PIPPIES at Balmoral childcare centre will close on June 30 after 17 years, as part of Mosman Council’s plans to spend $1.5m to redevelop and take over the Balmoral Park centre.
Mosman
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MOSMAN Council will allocate up to $1.5 million in its draft 2018-19 budget for the demolition and reconstruction of the childcare centre at Balmoral Park.
Councillors unanimously voted in favour of the plans at last month’s council meeting.
The council’s report states the redevelopment will replace “like for like” and be a modern, fit-for-purpose facility in place of the existing “dilapidated” centre, which is at the end of its useful life.
The existing centre is described as “an add-on to the pavilion and not a purpose-built facility”.
The centre is leased to childcare provider Pippies at Balmoral until June 30. The council will have vacant possession by July 14.
Pippies founder and owner Pip Wrench-Podvinec said she had informed families of the centre’s closure by letter.
The centre cares for up to 38 children per day. “It’s very sad for all involved,” she said.
“I opened the doors to Pippies at Balmoral 17 years ago on March 5, 2001. I have built from scratch this amazing community business, providing exceptional care, together with my equally exceptional staff.
“I was the director, teacher, chef, assistant and cleaner back then! Over the past 17 years we have educated, cared and nurtured thousands of children.”
Mrs Wrench-Podvinec said she was grateful for the time she had to fulfil her requirements under the lease.
“But, of course, I’m devastated that council has not accepted my proposal of a further term beyond June 30,” she said. “I pushed for at least until the end of the year, and longer, for our families to benefit from the full year of care.
“But, I am aware of my lease and its terms and accept them also.
“However, it doesn’t ease the pain of the reality of it all. It’s all I have ever done.”
Mrs Wrench-Podvinec said Pippies was helping families to find new childcare providers. “We are in a time that, thankfully, in our community there are many available placements in childcare services,” she said.
The Balmoral Park childcare centre is on Crown land and the council is the manager of the land, so the council is the consent authority. However, the development application will be independently assessed.
If the plans are approved, the council will relocate its Mosman Occasional Care Centre (MOCC) childcare service from Allan Border Oval Pavilion to the new development.
Council staff will operate the new centre, which is expected to open in 2019.