Work remains to develop the remains 58-seat Northlands College was allocated from the province. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

essential service

Northlands to open child care centre in 2027

Sep 16, 2026 | 4:54 PM

Northlands College is aiming to have a 32-seat child care centre operational at its River Campus by August 2027.

A tender was issued about two weeks ago, which includes the renovation and expansion of the existing chemistry lab at the River Campus in Air Ronge. Northlands President and CEO Michael McCormick believes foundation work could begin as early as October and it should be open for the fall of 2027 intake of students.

The La Ronge Child Care Co-operative was previously named as the facility operator.

“The chem lab is going to have an extension added on to the north side of that building to create more of a mudroom and transition space to go into the building. We’re also going to have a bit of a larger kitchen, so we can possibility look at a social enterprise where maybe we can offer additional meals for Northlands College students and just not the child care centre,” McCormick explained.

“We’re at the stage now that we have the design complete, we are looking at the operating platforms, and how to do the fit and finish of the interiors, so creating the playground, the colours on the wall, the type of furniture and materials we will have in the centre.”

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Students will have first priority for seats, followed by the staff and then the community at large. McCormick noted it is likely all seats will be taken by the children of students.

It was announced last September that Northlands College would be awarded $1.8 million by the Ministry of Education to develop 90 daycare seats. While the 32-seat centre is fully funded, McCormick added work remains to come up with enough money to put out a tender for a separate 58-seat facility.

“The 58-seat centre is one where we’re going to be creating more of a community interest on this, so we can look at raising the rest of the seed money,” he said.

With classes now in session, McCormick is reporting an increase in the number of full-time equivalent students. While he doesn’t have an exact number, he said many of the programs they offer now have waiting lists.

For instance, Northlands has been able to extend educational opportunities in Fond du Lac, offer more tri-trades programming, and once again offer electrical trade classes.

“We are seeing more people in our classes and hallways this year,” McCormick said.

“We started looking at pathway programs with students who are in adult basic education to help them with their post-secondary credentials.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

Northlands to open child care centre in 2027

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