The Pembina Valley Childcare Centre (PVCC) will open a new location in Morden at the Boundary Trails Place for 52 children thanks to a funding promise from the Province.

Set to open in October, the new branch of PVCC is only for children too young to start Kindergarten, ages three and down. MLA for Morden - Winkler and Provincial Finance Minister, Cameron Friesen, called PVCC last week to confirm a $240,000 grant was on its way to help pay for space.

"It will help alleviate some of our wait list," said PVCC executive director, Shauna Richards.

"Currently, we have 128 children on our wait list, and I do know that some people are not putting their name on our list knowing that [it's] just about impossible to get in."

From the 52 spaces total, eight are reserved for employees of Boundary Trails Place. The remaining 44 will go to families on the wait list, some people have been on the list since 2013.

A new centre was in Richards plans last winter when the wait list for PVCC was only at 100. However, the provincial election and a lengthy architectural process caused severe delays. In the meantime, Richards has been fundraising and recently made a proposal at the Power of the Purse event in Morden. Over $2,500 was donated to purchase equipment for the baby room in the new centre.

"We're probably at $33,000," Richards said.

As of Sept. 30 last year, the waiting list for daycare spots in Manitoba was over 15,000.