Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Club Adds Fun, Reduces Staff Stress with New Play Area

October 2, 2011

“Kids love it, we can see them all the time, and it’s very easy to clean,” says Julie Staley, Director of Youth Programs. “The new indoor play area opened the room up and the kids can slide, climb, crawl and tumble. They are totally entertained while their parents are working out.”

Located in Greenwood Village, CO, outside Denver, the Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Club offers drop-in daycare for kids ages six months to 12 years old. They have a PLAYTIME soft play area called Kids Club, after-school camps, and a Youth Activity Club for children ages 5 and up.

Recently, Staley spearheaded the refurbishment of Kids Zone, where parents need no reservation to drop off their children while they get a guilt-free workout. Staley says the previous play equipment included a multi-level, hard plastic maze that kids crawled through.

“It was very hard to clean and it was hard to see the kids all the time,” says Staley, who turned to PLAYTIME, LLC to help her create a more colorful, accessible indoor playground for the club’s youngest members.

PLAYTIME specializes in soft-sculpted foam playground equipment, similar to what many parents expect to see at indoor and outdoor mall play areas. Staley visited PLAYTIME’s Colorado manufacturing site and selected several colorful climbers, slides and crawl tunnels to allow kids to exercise while they have fun.

“I tried to select the pieces with the most play value,” Staley says, adding that even the themed carpeting is a play element.

The new play area opened in June 2011 and Staley says it’s a hit with everyone.

“Kids love it. Parents love it. New members… everyone loves it!”

She said that the new play elements have made life easier for her staff, as well.

“This equipment keeps the children entertained the entire time they’re here. We can always see where they are, and it’s very easy to clean,” she says. “We just spray antibacterial solution all over it, and we’re good to go.

“This is exactly what we needed.”