Down with daycare in River Heights?

The City of Winnipeg has denied a daycare operator’s request to add four extra children to her home-based facility, after neighbours complained.

Debbi Lee currently runs a day care facility at the River Heights Community Centre, but after the rent increased from $400 to $1,200 per month, she decided to move the business into a home her daughter recently purchased at 309 Ash St. in River Heights.

While she’s already been approved by the province to care for eight children, Lee wanted to care for four more kids, which meant the facility would qualify as a commercial group daycare. To do that, a city by-law requires that an additional parking space be built behind the house for a proper drop-off zone.

But three neighbours stepped forward, complaining the drop-off and pick-up times will coincide with people coming home from work.

They also say that noise is an issue, pointing out that there is already a school across the street.

"It’s reducing our quality of life, and privacy," said next-door neighbour, Janice Dehod, who added that she suffers from migraines.

"We have to deal with 12 children now; what if we want to read in our backyard?" Dehod added.

Lee said noise won’t be an issue.

"The kids will play across the street at the school park during the day so there won’t be noise issues,” Lee added.

But city officials sided with the neighbours, denying the extra spots. Lee can continue to care for eight children, and re-apply next year if she chooses.

“I’m really disappointed because there is a real need for daycares in this province,” Lee said after the hearing.