A safe place to play

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This article was published 02/09/2022 (1223 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NORTH KILDONAN

EAST KILDONAN

There will soon be a new place for kids to play in northeast Winnipeg.

On Sat., Sept. 24, The Play Pen, a new gym and party space for children, will host a grand opening celebration at its location at unit A-1042 Henderson Hwy, when caregivers and kids were able to come check out the new space for free.

“Parks are great, but sometimes playgrounds are geared more for school age kids. If I take my one year-old-daughter there, it’s not an inviting environment for her,” said Rebecca Rands, owner and operator of The Play Pen. “My mission statement is to create a welcoming and safe environment for everyone in the community, where children can engage in sensory, social, and motor skill development. They’ll interact with other kids, learn how to manoeuvre better in a safe environment.”

The week following the grand opening, from Sunday to Saturday, The Play Pen will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. with half-price admission. Once the kick-off celebrations are complete, caregivers can book time during regular programming, which includes afternoon drop-in times and weekly age-specific morning play groups.

“That way you don’t have to worry about bigger kids toppling over the little guys,” Rands said, adding afternoon drop-in times will be available through the week as well.

Weekend bookings for birthday parties and other group activities are also available. Caregivers can purchase individual memberships for the children in their lives, or “family” passes.

“I’m trying to create as many flexible options as possible,” Rands said.

Rands explained that she was driven to open The Play Pen as a means of satisfying pent up demand for safe places for children to play.

“Between COVID and winter, everything, it was very isolating. By springtime, I was like, I need something for my kid,” she said. “We need somewhere kids can run around and have a good time.”

Rands put together a business plan and, after some searching, secured the space next to Rossmere Lanes at 1042 Henderson Hwy. The space is currently under construction, and will soon be outfitted with over 60 gym mats and an assortment of soft play equipment for kids to explore.

“Safety is my number one concern,” she said, adding that the business will be entirely cashless. The space will also be locked, with an array of security cameras and a buzzer to let customers in. “So people can’t just wander in.”

With opening day looming, Rands is excited to welcome the community to The Play Pen.

“I want this to be a welcoming place,” she said.

For more information, visit The Play Pen on Facebook.