New Mississippi Mills Childcare Centre to more than double licensed spaces for local families
Young families in Mississippi Mills will soon have access to significantly more licensed childcare as the municipality celebrates the opening of a new purpose-built childcare centre in Almonte.
According to a press release from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, the new Mississippi Mills Childcare Services Centre, located at 111 Menzie St. is meant to replace the existing State Street facility.
The project, which carries a total value of $10.5 million, was supported through funding from the Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Funding Agreement and the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
Municipal staff, project partners, dignitaries, and federal and provincial government representatives gathered on Thursday, Aug. 20, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the upcoming opening of the 13,045-square-foot facility. Constructed by Chandos Construction, the project officially broke ground a year ago in August 2025.
“This new child care centre is a tremendous investment in children, families and the future of our communities,” said Lanark County Warden Richard Kidd. “Lanark County has allocated more than $6.7 million in provincial and federal funding to help make this project a reality, demonstrating our commitment to expanding access to licensed child care and supporting the needs of a growing population.”
The new and improved building will provide care for 151 children from infancy to age four, more than doubling the current centre’s capacity by relocating 73 existing spaces and adding 78 new licensed childcare spots.
According to municipal officials, the modern, single-storey building has been specifically designed to support the growing demand for childcare in Mississippi Mills, while also serving families commuting throughout the Ottawa Valley.
“When we invest in child care, we invest in the future of our community,” said Mississippi Mills Mayor Christa Lowry. “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 new centre will feature one infant room, three toddler classrooms, four preschool classrooms, a flexible gross motor room, as well as administrative offices and staff support areas with a full commercial kitchen.
The municipality said that outdoor learning was deemed a priority when creating the new space, with dedicated play spaces for infants, toddlers and preschoolers that include wood climbers, tunnels, mud kitchens, water play areas, children’s gardens, and more.
The approximately 13,000-square-foot facility will also include barrier-free access, bicycle parking, an electric vehicle charging station and other sustainability features as it pursues LEED Silver certification.