Modular childcare pilot project breaks ground in Picture Butte and Raymond

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

A new modular childcare pilot project is coming to the towns of Picture Butte and Raymond. 

Town of Picture Butte Council joined partners, childcare providers and guests on Aug. 12 for a groundbreaking ceremony, and thanks to the new project by Global Builds Inc., families in Picture Butte and Raymond will be able to access more licensed childcare spaces.  

Picture Butte Mayor Cathy Moore said she was “extremely happy” that Picture Butte was chosen for the pilot project. 

“It’s very exciting for this community. Our daycare (facility) definitely needed to be improved,” said Moore. “Our daycare is an aging facility that presents a number of challenges – it has limited space, limited access to outdoor play space and being on the second floor of the building means it’s not accessible as a modern childcare facility should be,” she added. “Today, we’re changing that.”      

Moore pointed out the safe, accessible and all-purpose environment the new modular daycare centre will provide children to learn, play and grow.   

The project is supported with $14 million from the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund, as part of the Canada–Alberta Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, bringing together federal, provincial, municipal, and private-sector partners to support the development of new licensed non-profit childcare spaces.

The project will use standardized modular construction to deliver a purpose-built childcare facility in Picture Butte and Raymond more quickly and efficiently than traditional construction methods. The facility will provide a modern, safe, and welcoming environment for children while helping families access childcare closer to home. 

A Town of Raymond press release last week stated the project represents an important investment in local families and the community’s future, and pointed out how new childcare spaces can help parents participate in the workforce, support local employers, and strengthen the community’s economy.

“Access to quality childcare is important for families and for the continued growth of our community,” said Raymond Mayor Bryce Coppieters. “We are pleased to be part of this partnership and look forward to seeing this project move forward in Raymond. This investment will help create new opportunities for local families and support our community for years to come.”

“This is much more than a construction project—it’s a new way of thinking about how we deliver critical infrastructure in communities across Alberta,” said Daryn Edgar with Global Builds Inc. “By bringing together all levels of government, municipalities, industry experts, and childcare operators, we are building more than facilities—we are creating opportunities for families, supporting local economies, and helping communities thrive.”

Edgar noted the important partnerships and the team that is “increasing access to high quality child care” and spoke about the modular hybrid construction process. 

“The modular construction process allows us to deliver the highest quality construction, while increasing efficiency and significantly reducing timelines,” said Edgar. “The pilot project and team approach is really a new way to deliver and it’s changing public infrastructure delivery.”    

Global Builds Inc. is leading project delivery and coordinating planning, design, procurement, and construction with a team of experts. The modular childcare project is designed to provide an efficient approach to delivering childcare infrastructure in smaller communities.