Mississippi Mills marked a major milestone in child care access on August 20, 2026, holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new child care centre ahead of its upcoming opening. The event at 111 Menzie Street in Almonte highlighted a $10.5 million facility that will add 78 new licensed spots and relocate 73 existing ones, bringing the total to 151 spaces for children from infancy to age four.
The 13,045-square-foot Mississippi Mills Childcare Services Centre includes one infant room, three toddler classrooms, four preschool rooms, a gross motor room, a full commercial kitchen, nature-inspired outdoor play areas, and dedicated staff offices. The building is designed to LEED Silver standards, using sustainable construction practices.
Mayor Christa Lowry said the investment is about the community’s future. “When we invest in child care, we invest in the future of our community,” Lowry said. “Every new child care space created here represents an opportunity for a child to learn and grow, and for a parent to pursue work, education or other opportunities knowing their child is receiving quality care.”
The project received more than $6.7 million in funding through Lanark County, drawn from the Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Funding Agreement and the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. The centre is part of the Canada-wide system, which caps parent fees at $22 per day for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers effective January 1, 2026.
Construction began in August 2025 following a groundbreaking ceremony on August 14. The project was not without challenges: in October 2025, council briefly paused budget approvals while seeking clarity from Lanark County on staffing cost coverage, including whether positions like the cook fell under wage grants. Those issues were later resolved, with the centre expected to open in September 2026.
The new facility will replace the former site at 208 State Street and is expected to ease ongoing pressure on licensed child care in Mississippi Mills and surrounding communities. The opening follows years of planning driven by growing demand for early learning and child care spaces in the Ottawa Valley area.
