BASE31, THE HUB CHILD & FAMILY CENTRE AND WILDLINGS PLAY CAFÉ PARTNER TO CREATE NEW FAMILY-FOCUSED SPACES IN PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY
Located in Building 3 on the northwest area of the Base31 property, the revitalized space marks a major milestone in Base31’s ongoing investment in community infrastructure and adaptive reuse of its historic buildings. Together with the adjacent Sensory Garden, Aviators Garden, Melt Studio & Gallery, and Fairgrounds pickleball courts, these spaces work together to create a thoughtfully designed area for everyone in the family— supporting play, connection, and early learning.
A Shared Commitment to Families and the County's Future
“Our goal isn’t only to develop a cultural destination and new homes, but to invest in spaces that make life better for families who are here now. Bringing The HUB and Wildlings to Base31 reflects our belief that community infrastructure should come first – safe, inclusive, and rooted in local collaboration,” said Assaf Weisz, Acting CEO, Base31. “At Base31, we see ourselves as stewards of this historic site and partners in the County’s future.”
The HUB Child & Family Centre: Expanding Childcare Access
Base31 also contributed $75,000 in cash and rent subsidies to support the creation of the new child care centre, reinforcing its commitment to investing in community infrastructure that meets the needs of families today.
“This partnership is about building the future of child care in Prince Edward County. The need for child care is growing and so are we”, said Stacey Stanford, Executive Director, The HUB Child & Family Centre. “Our expansion and partnership with Base31 will mean the creation of more licensed child care spaces to address our growing waitlist, and gives families access to more high-quality care in Prince Edward County. We are proud to design a child care centre that’s deeply rooted in our community.”
While the new facility helps alleviate part of the County’s waitlist, The HUB continues to fundraise to expand services and ensure that every family who needs child care can access it close to home.
Wildlings Play Café: A First for Prince Edward County
“We’re so excited to bring Wildlings to Base31 and create a space where kids and caregivers can truly feel connected—to each other and the community,” said Callum Bramley, co-founder of Wildlings Play Café. “As parents to young children, we know how special it is to have a place that’s safe, welcoming, and designed with families in mind. Partnering with Base31 allows us to be part of something bigger: a shared vision of making Prince Edward County a destination that families can grow with and feel proud to call home.”
Wildlings was founded by two local families and will offer walk-in play, memberships, and private party rentals. The bright, open-concept design features a custom play structure, toddler zone, pretend play area, climbing wall, and reading nook; all crafted with a calm, sensory-aware approach.
Renewing the Northwest Area of Base31
“These projects show what’s possible when local expertise and community care come together,” said Weisz. “It’s an investment not only in the site but in the future of the County itself.”
BACKGROUNDER
ABOUT BASE31
Since opening in 2022, Base31 has become a thriving hub of creativity and culture, drawing visitors from across the region and beyond. The site has hosted hundreds of events, from large-scale festivals and concerts to intimate performances by Canada’s top musicians. It has also introduced a bustling open-air food + drink market, an Exhibition Hall celebrating the site’s unique history, immersive programming and commercial tenants to the site. Visitors can explore galleries, escape rooms, outdoor play spaces, children’s camps and arts programs, and curated group experiences, with culinary adventures and creative installations adding to its ever-evolving energy.
Looking ahead, Base31 will continue to evolve as a hub for creativity, heritage, food, and community, introducing fresh experiences and amenities that inspire play, discovery, relaxation, and connection, reflecting the distinct spirit of Prince Edward County. In the coming years, the surrounding area will grow with new rental and home ownership opportunities enhancing its vibrancy and appeal, marking its next chapter as one of the nation’s largest revitalization projects.
Base31’s neighbourhood plan envisions the future of the larger 750-acre site as a dynamic collection of neighbourhoods with a mix of uses: retail attractions, places to work and create, parks, trails, and recreation areas, a full complement of community amenities, and a range of housing to suit many needs. The vision for this mixed-use community reflects a visionary approach to urban planning, promoting much needed local and regional housing opportunities, economic growth, social interaction, and environmental stewardship. This comprehensive strategy not only enhances tourism appeal, but also establishes a model for sustainable cultural and economic development in Prince Edward County.
Base31 is owned and operated by PEC Community Partners Inc. PEC Community Partners is a group of community builders including CaraCo Group of Companies, DECO Communities, Fieldgate Homes, Paradise Developments, PEC Placemaking, and Rockport Group. The Ontario-based partnership brings together expertise in complete community development, affordable housing and commercial space, mixed-use residential, site servicing and infrastructure, and adaptive re-use of heritage sites with a specific focus on creative placemaking.
For more information on Base31 visit www.Base31.ca
ABOUT THE HUB CHILD & FAMILY CENTRE
The expansion will create much-needed child care spaces for toddlers and preschoolers, helping to address growing waitlists and providing families with greater access to care. The project is funded by the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada through the Canada–Ontario Early Years and Child Care Agreement, and administered locally by Prince Edward-Lennox & Addington Social Services (PELASS). The new Base31 location is a direct response to the County’s growing need for accessible child care and reflects The HUB’s commitment to supporting families where they live, work, and grow.
The HUB Child & Family Centre has been serving families across Prince Edward County since 1989, offering inclusive, high-quality programs that support early learning, child development, and family well-being. As a trusted community resource, The HUB provides licensed child care, EarlyON programming, parenting supports, playgroups, and connections to local services.
The HUB is the only licensed child care organization within Prince Edward County with two centre-based locations in Picton and at Massassaga-Rednersville School. It also operates School Age programs in five schools, a Preschool program, Home Child Care, and an EarlyON space offering free, play-based programs for families. In addition, The HUB runs Summer Camps, PA Day Camps, March Break Camps, and Christmas Break Camps for children ages 0–12. Through partnerships with community organizations, The HUB provides education, support, and resources for families across the County, including parent education and playgroups offered during the day, evenings, and weekends to meet the needs of local families.
For more information on The HUB Child & Family Centre visit www.thehubcentre.ca
ABOUT WILDINGS PLAY CAFÉ
Every detail—from the sensory-friendly design to the spacious layout that keeps little ones safely in view—reflects the founders’ vision to make families feel at ease. Conveniently located between The Hub Child & Family Centre and the Fairgrounds pickleball courts, as well as other attractions at Base31, Wildlings is part of a broader effort to make Prince Edward County an even more vibrant, family-friendly place to live and visit. At its core, Wildlings exists to nurture connection among children, their families, and the community. Wildlings Play Café is set to open its doors in December 2025.
Wildlings Play Café is the first of its kind in Prince Edward County, founded by local parents who wanted to create a space that serves both children and caregivers. The name “Wildlings” comes from the word for an uncultivated plant growing freely in nature—a reflection of the founders’ belief that children grow best the same way, when they are given the space to explore, play, and simply be themselves.
The 2,400-square-foot, open-concept play area is designed for children aged 0–7, offering safe, engaging activities such as a custom-designed play structure, floor-to-ceiling climbing wall, toddler area, quiet reading nook, and pretend play zone. Unlike traditional play spaces, Wildlings emphasizes a relaxed, sensory-friendly environment with no loud music or overstimulating colours.
Families can pay-per-play or purchase an unlimited membership, and may visit by walk-in or by pre-booking playtime online. Private rentals for birthday celebrations will be available in early 2026.
Follow Wildlings’ progress on Instagram at @wildlingsplaycafe