- COMPANY ON TRACK TO DOUBLE CAPACITY BY
YEAR END -
TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - BrightPath Early Learning
Inc. ("BrightPath" or the "Company") (TSX-V: BPE), a leading
Canadian provider of high-quality, comprehensive early childhood
education and care services, announced the opening of its latest
centre, Sage Hill, in northwest
Calgary, Alberta. The new
centre, which is located in the Sage Hill Crossing complex, adds
130 licensed spaces to the Company's capacity.
"The opening of Sage Hill represents another milestone met in
delivering on our commitment to growth and progress towards
exceeding our target of 10,000 spaces by the end of 2017.
This will effectively double our capacity since the end of 2015,"
said Mary Ann Curran, CEO of
BrightPath Early Learning. "We're particularly encouraged by
Sage Hill's initial enrollment
level, especially with respect to our infant program, which already
has a waitlist for future start dates. This high early
enrollment level suggests that our premium curriculum, programs and
care services are addressing a key need across the country, that
the Company is proficient in identifying communities where demand
exceeds supply and that the Alberta market, in particular, is showing
signs of economic recovery."
Sage Hill is the third new centre
that BrightPath has opened in the past 15 months which, on a
combined basis, have added a total of 624 new licensed spaces.
Sage Hill is a long-term leased facility and was built to
BrightPath's specifications in coordination with RioCan Real Estate
Income Trust, the developer of the balance of the Sage Hill
Crossing Centre. The Sage Hill Centre opened at the beginning of
this month, and has committed enrollments of almost 75% of
capacity, with enrollments continuing to build.
Looking forward, BrightPath expects to open its Richmond location, which is being developed
and will be owned by BrightPath on lands adjacent to a First
Capital centre in southwest Calgary, this summer. The Richmond Centre will
add an additional 247 new licensed spaces in this underserved
community.
As a result of the development of new facilities, recent
acquisition activities and successful efforts to optimize its
already existing base of centres, BrightPath currently has
approximately 9,300 spaces, up from approximately 5,800 spaces at
the start of 2016, and up from 1,100 licensed spaces at its
inception in 2010.
BrightPath remains committed to a growth strategy that combines
targeted acquisitions in select markets with the development of new
centres where demand for premium childhood education and care
services exceeds available supply.
About BrightPath Early Learning Inc.
BrightPath Early Learning Inc. is a Canadian leader in child
care and early education with 77 locations in major markets across
the country. Meeting the highest standards in curriculum,
nutrition, technology and recreational programming, BrightPath is
committed to providing families with the very best child
development and care Canada has to
offer.
For more information, please visit
www.BrightPathKids.com/corporate or contact Dale Kearns, President & Chief Financial
Officer of BrightPath Early Learning Inc. at (403) 705-0362 ext.
406.
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that
term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained herein constitute forward-looking
statements regarding the future growth, results of operations,
performance and opportunities of the Company. Forward-looking
statements can generally be identified by the use of, but not
limited to, the following words: "plans", "expects" or "does not
expect", "budget", "scheduled", "estimate", "forecast", "pro
forma", "anticipate" or "does not anticipate", "believe", "intend",
"inferred", "potential" and similar expressions or statements that
certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should",
"would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but reflect
the Company's current expectations regarding future results or
events based on information currently available and what the
Company believes to be reasonable assumptions. All forward-looking
statements are qualified by these cautionary statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks,
assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results,
performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause actual results or events to differ materially from those
expressed, implied or projected include, but are not limited to,
general economic conditions, the Company's ability to meet and
maintain forecasted occupancy levels, general government policies,
continued availability of government child care subsidies to
parents, unexpected costs or liabilities related to acquisitions,
construction, environmental matters, legal matters, changes in
interest rates, credit spreads and the availability of financing.
In addition, please refer to the Risks and Uncertainties section of
the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis. As such,
the Company gives no assurance that actual results will be
consistent with these forward-looking statements.
Readers should not place undue reliance on any such
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
made as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to
publicly update or revise any such statement, reflect new
information or reflect the occurrence of future events or
circumstances, except as required by securities laws.
SOURCE BrightPath Early Learning Inc.