June 5, 2015

Ottawa, Ontario

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blackburn Hamlet Preschool is Still Fighting to Keep

Operating
The Blackburn Hamlet Preschool (BHPS) has not finalized the decision to close operations as
recently reported in the media. No vote has been taken by the preschool members to close. The
fact is the preschool and its dedicated board of volunteers, concerned parents, staff and
community members are doing all they can to try and save this beloved 40 year old institution in
Blackburn Hamlet. BHPS does not want to cease operations and lose 40 years of teaching
materials, curriculum, early education knowledge, community goodwill and support for our
youngest members of society.
It has recently come to the attention of the BHPS board that the media and Councillor Mitic have
inaccurately conveyed to the public the preschools position on closure, its options for continued
operations and the health and safety concerns associated with its current premise.
The BHPS would like to clarify some of these inaccuracies and reassure the community of
Blackburn Hamlet that everything possible is being done to try stay in the community.
We have asked the City for a one year extension to our lease and are willing to make
any repairs necessary to address immediate health and safety issues.
The childrens safety has always been our number one priority. After all, as a cooperative preschool they literally are our children. As required by our lease, the BHPS
has been performing regular maintenance of the facility, but we are not responsible for
the replacing a City owned building.
Providing only four months notice to an institution that has been in the same location for
40 years and operates as a cooperative was unfairly harsh and unaccommodating. The
City could have provided a much more realistic notice of intention not to renew the lease.
We recognize and appreciate the Citys support over the years and have found the
partnership to be successful and mutually beneficial. We would have hoped that the City
would want to work with us to develop a plan that would see the preschool stay open
and continue its heritage of providing excellent educational programming for young
children.
Councillor Mitic has stated that he has exhausted all options available to him. To date,
he has not provided the Preschool with any short or long-term options or offers of
financial assistance. We understand that Councillor Mitic has some unallocated funds
available to him; however, there has been no offer of financial assistance from his office.
It is very disappointing to both the Community and the BHPS that the newly elected City council
has failed to see the immense importance of educating our youngest community members in a
location that have proven its value over many generations. We know the importance of

June 5, 2015
Ottawa, Ontario
education and know how it is vital to start our young children on the path to lifelong learning
within their own community.
Since 1971, BHPS has offered early learning opportunities for preschool aged children in the
community of Blackburn Hamlet. Programs allow children to explore and experiment while
developing independence and a positive attitude toward school and learning. The preschool is a
not-for-profit, co-operative preschool run by parents, through an elected parent Board of
directors, the support of numerous volunteers, a program supervisor, and a staff of dedicated
teachers. Learn more about the BHPS at http://bhps.ca.

For more information please contact:

David McAlister
BHPS Treasurer
treasurer@bhps.ca