Up from the ashes: N.S. daycare destroyed by 2023 wildfire reopens
ForestKids Early Learning Centre daycare in Hammonds Plains, N.S., finally reopened its doors on Saturday afternoon after being devastated by a wildfire in 2023. The joyous occasion was a stark contrast to the sorrow that had engulfed the community not so long ago.
Terri Kottwitz, the executive director of ForestKids, expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support that made the reopening possible. She mentioned, “This celebration has been almost two years coming. It’ll be two years in May. So all of our families stuck with us. We didn’t lose any families. Everybody just bent backwards and helped us. The families were our support.”
The new ForestKids facility was made possible through federal and provincial funds, as well as over $32,000 raised on GoFundMe. Following the fire, the daycare operated from a different location in the community before returning to its original property last September. During this time, the staff and children made do with five trailers while the rest of the facility was being rebuilt.
ForestKids caters to children aged three months to 10 years old, providing a nurturing environment for learning and growth. Kottwitz expressed her relief at moving out of the temporary trailers, acknowledging the challenges they posed.
The reopening ceremony was attended by over 50 people, including staff, families of the children, and alumni. The resilience and determination of Terri Kottwitz were highlighted during the event, with a group of children reciting a heartfelt poem in her honor.
Tracy Hunter, an early childhood educator with ForestKids for nearly 30 years, shared her personal connection to the wildfire’s impact on the community. She emphasized the significance of having the daycare back as a symbol of hope and resilience, attributing its return to Kottwitz’s dedication.
The new facility boasts an expanded enrolment capacity, now accommodating 93 children compared to the previous 80. For parents like Chantal Boudreau, the reopening signifies a fresh start and new opportunities for their children. Boudreau expressed her excitement about the new building and the enhanced learning environments it offers, breathing new life into the daycare.
The reopening of ForestKids Early Learning Centre marks a significant milestone in the community’s recovery from the wildfire, embodying the spirit of unity and perseverance that brought the daycare back to life.
