Adam Brown owns 'The Abbey,' a Methodist Church turned daycare in Abingdon, West Lincoln. The facility will be open this Sunday for public viewing from 2 to 4 p.m.

Municipal parking or not, the Abbey daycare will be opening in Abingdon next week.

After having council refuse to allow the facility use of the parking lot in the neighbouring ball diamonds for pick-up and drop-off, the centre will now open as a home daycare, not a licensed daycare as previously planned.

"Originally, I was thinking licensed," said ever-positive owner Adam Brown. "And I have faith that one day it will be licensed, but for now, we'll open as a home daycare."

Five years ago, twin brothers Adam and Colin Brown purchased the Methodist church building in Abingdon. The building, circa 1888, has since been renovated into a home, and now a 20-by-30 foot daycare space for local children.

Adam, 31, is now the sole owner of the building, which will open next week as 'The Abbey.' An open house is planned for Sunday, June 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. Residents are welcome to come tour the facility, meet staff and discover daily programs.

'The Abbey' will open following the open house for part-time hours until September. Early Childhood Educator Shari Shrum will manage the daycare.

The only hurdle preventing the daycare from becoming fully licensed is the township's acknowledgment that sufficient parking is available.

In the meantime, all Canadians are allowed to care for up to five children in their homes, said Brown.

Eventually, Brown hopes to reach an agreement with town council regarding a safe drop-off and pick-up area for parental use. That will allow him to provide care for an additional seven or eight children, ages 18 months to five years old.

The proper zoning for a licensed daycare was approved by council two years ago, said Brown, and since then, virtually all other requirements have been met, including owning a commercial dishwasher, installing a six-foot-high fence and completing reference checks.

Now, although there is an abundance of public parking surrounding the facility, the Ministry of Child and Youth Services requires the township to acknowledge it and a license cannot be issued until that occurs, said Brown.

"To me, it seems logical," he said. "It's disappointing, but I find that you need to fight for the things that are great in life."

Brown is also known for his local jam nights, where he and friends create music on the spot.

"I'm a huge music fan," said Brown. "That's my main goal. If I could make music all the time, I would."