YLW childcare expands

(L to R): Anne Downie, KF Aerospace; Allyson Graf, YMCA of Southern Interior BC; Manik Dhir, YMCA of Southern Interior BC; Councillor Gord Lovegrove; Mayor Tom Dyas; Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for Kelowna and Secretary of State for Defence Procurement; Llana Teichroeb; Doug Gilchrist, City Manager, City of Kelowna; Sam Samaddar, Airport Chief Executive Officer, Kelowna International Airport. (Image Credit: City of Kelowna)

May 20, 2026 | 4:24 PM Pattison Media

It’s a boost for Kelowna families living or working at or near YLW, as the Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre has expanded to add 24 new infant–toddler spaces for children under 36 months.

With the expansion, the centre will now offer 110 licensed child care spaces, including 36 infant–toddler spaces and 74 spaces for children aged 30 months to school age. The expansion was made possible with a joint provincial and federal investment of over $2.5 million.

The partnership includes the City of Kelowna, YLW, KF Aerospace, the YMCA and the Province.

Access to child care helps attract and retain skilled workers and supports regional economic growth. YLW is one of only three airports in North America offering onsite childcare.

Demand for infant–toddler care remains high, and the 24 new spaces created through this expansion have already been filled through the centre’s existing waitlist, which can be found here. Children are expected to begin attending once licensing and final approvals are in place.