Social media channels are abuzz with news that Too Cool Beans is counting down the weeks until Cochrane welcomes its premier indoor playground for kids.
Designed for children between two and 10 years of age, the 4,000-square-foot facility will maximize “every inch of space” and will be located at 103-609 First Street West – in the northeast portion of the former IGA building, next to the Brightpath Daycare and across from Mountainview Car and Truck Wash.
“We’re designing this facility to be as safe as possible,” said owner Rob Miller, a Bow Ridge resident and father of three, adding that he is at the end of the permit phase and is anxious to begin construction for an opening in either late December or early January.
“I locked myself in the basement one weekend and came up with a business plan.”
Milller, who is the current owner of Calgary-based Garage Door Depot and has a background as a paramedic, said this venture was seen as a way for he and wife Kimberly to “give back locally” by providing a much-needed service in Cochrane.
The Eagle last reported on the growing demand for a play centre in February 2015.
At that time, two local moms, Kara Balcarras and Christina Vitalis, were working on a draft plan to launch an indoor play centre but struggled with finding an investor, as well as the cash flow to move their shared vision into a reality.
“I’m definitely excited to see something like this finally happening in town,” said Balcarras, a mother of four boys under the age of seven. “There is definitely a need for this here.”
Miller said his facility will be family-run with a handful of employment opportunities. The space is built on a “safety-first” concept, including allergen-free (no outside food) and with all play structures adhering to the highest engineering and safety standards.
Included in the space will be a large play structure area, an infant and toddler play area, an eight-foot climbing wall, interactive gaming floor, wiggle car race track, a café with free Wi-Fi for supervising parents, and party rooms available for rent.
“I hope parents will come in and feel like everything was really well-thought out.”
The nearest indoor play centre for Cochrane parents is Tommy K Play, located in the Beacon Hill area in northwest Calgary.
Miller said he is still working on pricing, but is mindful that affordability needs to be a factor. To learn more, visit Too Cool Bean’s Facebook page.
