On Monday, April 25, the Laugh and Learn Daycare had its grand opening announcement in their building along Chartrand Avenue in Logan Lake, BC.
The new daycare has been a three year project that, with Teck’s involvement, will be the first of its kind in Canada with copper installations.

“A cornerstone of Teck is innovation,” said Matt Parrilla, general manager for Teck Highland Valley Copper Operations.

“What we’re really excited about here is this is the first daycare in Canada using antimicrobial properties of copper on high traffic and high touch surfaces. That is part of innovation in practice. We are making it safer for the kids and other members of the community.”

150 antimicrobial copper surfaces were installed throughout the daycare including; door handles, toilet seats, coat hooks, countertops, and washroom latches.

In his opening remarks at the opening ceremony, Parrilla, said “today marks an exciting milestone in this community and I don’t want to underscore that because it’s investments like these which are extremely important to small communities.”

“We know that this facility will serve an important need in the community for all families in need of childcare,” Parrilla added.

Logan Lake Mayor, Robin Smith also made an appearance at the open house. She shared her thoughts on what it means to have Teck imbue it’s innovative technology in one of their community’s institutions.

“I think it’s an incredible project on a number of different levels,” said Smith. “It’s an incredible feat on the part of Teck to provide this type of environment in a small community like Logan Lake.”

The daycare plans to open its doors initially for children between the ages of 0 and 5 years old. The project is sponsored by Childcare BC, Childcare Capital and Community Services Branch, Ministry of Children and Family Development, District of Logan Lake, and Teck.

“We are very excited to partner with Teck in this project,” said Michelle Hawkins, board president of Logan Lake Laugh and Learn Society.

“With us being the community that surrounds Highland Valley Copper, copper is a big part of our life and our town is here because of that.”

Teck has been championing the importance of metals and mining in people’s everyday lives through their Copper and Health program. The mining company has partnered with many organizations such as Vancouver General Hospital, Translink, Toronto Transit Commission, and BC Institute of Technology.

The Laugh and Learn daycare is set to open on May 16. For more information on the daycare’s copper installation please visit www.copperstopsthespread.ca