River Run and Willow child-care centres in Richmond reopen under new operators
Two Richmond child-care facilities closed by Atira Women's Resource Society in spring have resumed operations with experienced new management.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
River Run and Willow child-care centres in north Richmond have reopened under new operators after their previous manager, Atira Women's Resource Society, terminated leases in spring due to financial challenges.
River Run is now operated by the Developmental Disabilities Association, which opened the centre on June 26. Willow is now run by the Society of Richmond Children's Centres and opened on September 1. The city describes both operators as "experienced" with "significant history" running child-care programs in Richmond-owned facilities.
All children enrolled in the previous programs were given the opportunity to re-enrol with the new operators. Both River Run and Willow maintain access to provincial funding programs to support affordability for parents and workers, though the province is no longer accepting new applications to its $10-a-day program.
Capacity remains uneven across the two centres. Both have spaces available in their three-to-five-year-old programs, but infant and toddler programs are full with waitlists at each facility.
The city had awarded Atira a $9,000 grant last winter to support their programs. When Atira terminated the leases, they returned the grant. City council is now being asked to reallocate that $9,000 between the two new operators.
At a glance
When did River Run and Willow reopen?
River Run reopened on June 26, 2026, operated by the Developmental Disabilities Association. Willow reopened on September 1, 2026, now run by the Society of Richmond Children's Centres.
Which age groups have available spaces?
Both River Run and Willow have openings in their three-to-five-year-old programs, but their infant and toddler programs are at capacity with waitlists.
Can families still access provincial child-care funding?
Both centres maintain access to provincial funding programs to support affordability, though the province is no longer accepting new applications to its $10-a-day program.
