The YMCA believes that they will be ready to have dedicated programs for the children of health care workers up and running in six months’ time.

Government yesterday announced a plan to create 160 new spaces geared toward health care workers and their schedules, with the eventual goal of offering 24-hour care for those who work overnights.

The development of new spaces within Discovery Collegiate in Bonavista and East Side Elementary in Corner Brook is already underway, and a new centre will be built on St. Michael’s Avenue in downtown St. John’s.

The Premier has indicated that the new centres will be operational in six months, and YMCA CEO Jason Brown expresses confidence that they will be ready.

It’s an aggressive timeline, admits Brown, who notes that the three sites identified are in various stages of readiness and they will be able to move as quickly as possible.