THE CENTRE’S RESPONSE TO THE U OF O IS SIMPLE: WHY WAIT FOUR TO FIVE YEARS FOR CHILDCARE SERVICES THAT ALREADY EXIST TODAY?
The University of Ottawa has announced ambitious plans to construct a new student housing development on campus. This construction will take place where the existing Brooks Complex stands, which has been vacant housing since 2018. Demolition of the Brooks Complex will commence as early as May 2026 depending on permit approval.
Construction is part of the U of O’s plan to roll out a series of new buildings that will add a total of 2,600 new beds. Construction will be handled by a private contractor: Integrated Campus Solutions.
University of Ottawa’s Student Union (UOSU) president Jack Coen expressed optimism at the prospect of new units for students, but also, concern for the risks of a private company managing construction.
Coen stated“we are glad the university is taking concrete measures to build much needed housing for uOttawa students and to utilize long ignored space on campus.” he continued, “UOSU will continue to keep an eye out on the development of Brooks, acknowledging that it’s being run by a private company.”
While the new beds are welcome news for future first years, staff at La Garderie Bernadette Child Care Centre feel they have been excluded by development. The centre is located in the Brooks Complex. It provides care for 49 children of University of Ottawa students and staff.
Natalie Bruvels at the Bernadette centre told the Fulcrum that when the demolition of Brooks was announced, the University of Ottawa had originally discussed relocating the centre to 200 Lees. This process was ended abruptly in December by Éric Bercier, the Interim Vice-President of the U of O. Staff have tried repeatedly to find a new location for the centre in Sandy Hill, although they have not been able to find a suitable location to which is affordable and can accommodate the 49 children enrolled in the centre. Barring a change, the centre will permanently close on Thursday April 2nd 2026.
The U of O has said it has hopes to make a childcare space in their new developments. But due to planned construction time, means that the University of Ottawa will be without a childcare centre for four to five years, perhaps more depending on construction.
“It’s not going to be possible while we’re building to accommodate them,” said the President and Vice-Chancellor of the U of O, Marie-Eve Sylvestre. Sylvestre also stated that the childcare centre space will not be held for the Bernadette centre specifically. The centre’s response to the U of O is simple: why wait four to five years for childcare services that already exist today? They are asking the administration to clarify what has changed since the development announcement and to help the community understand this decision.
