BGC is expanding to Bentley School this September to offer after school and schools out day programming. Executive Director, Beth Reitz says there were some major fans of the program in Bentley that were able to get things rolling in the community. 

“We did a needs assessment and it came back extremely high. They have no options out there for after school care programming for school aged children. The community came together, put some startup money together and the school has offered us a place. We were able to hire people and it came together really fast,” said Reitz.  

Some families are already registered for the new program. Registration is open and you can sign up by clicking here.  

The expansion comes just after BGC Wolfcreek opened in Lacombe in fall of 2022 at Upper Elementary School and shortly after that at Terrace Ridge School.  

Following the pandemic, Reitz says the organization has really seen an uptick in their programming.  

“Post-COVID lots of people are going back to work and needing childcare options. We're getting out that it (the programming) really does work in small communities, and we do run really great programs with highly qualified staff. The government subsidy allows parents to be able to afford childcare and that's a really important thing right now with the economy being what it is,” explained Reitz.  

The programming begins on September 5th for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6. Reitz hopes to offer summer programming in the community in the summer of 2024. 

She says the program would not have been able to happen in Bentley without the help of the passionate people involved.  

“I would really like to speak highly of the school in Bentley and the administration and especially the parent Council there. It has been because of them and their work and their persistence that this is happening,” she added.