Thompson Rivers University is planning to expand its campus to the west, with a new early childhood education centre said to be the first of its kind in Canada. A new childcare centre planned to open in the spring of 2022 at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC.

The school has purchased a former industrial building located near the campus and is spending about $7 million to renovate it.

Once home to a ginseng company, the space is intended to not only house a non-profit daycare, but also be the site of TRU's early childhood education program and affiliated research. TRU plans to consolidate its early education-related programs (early childhood education program and graduate studies program) currently located throughout the TRU campus, including the Cariboo Childcare Society day care. The property will include a day care that can accommodate 94 kids for staff, students —and the general public, if spots are available — including outdoor space for the day care. TRU plans to renovate the existing building already on the property. The plan will also create an additional entrance into the university, with a new road entering the campus.