A newly opened indoor playspace in New Westminster is a welcoming place for kids and families who might not have many other options in the community.
The Cove, a new indoor play centre at the Royal City Centre is geared toward accommodating neurodiverse children and their families.
Owner Trisha Ocampo says the centre is a “passion project.”
“I really wanted to create this space to support families in the community,” she told CityNews.
Growing up with an autistic brother, Ocampo explains her family didn’t have many options when it came to inclusive play spaces.
“Thirty years ago, there wasn’t a huge awareness of autism. There wasn’t enough support for families like ours,” she explained.
“If you had a tantrum at Chuck E. Cheese, my mom would have to leave, and she was super embarrassed.”
Ocampo’s new play space has a designated sensory room — a place where parents to bring their child who may be overwhelmed to help them calm down and self-regulate.
Parents who have visited The Cove say it’s not only a soothing space for the kids, but for them as well.
“I actually feel a bit at ease here, and it’s comfortable, not too many toys, and well thought out,” one parent shared.
Families say there’s a big need for inclusive spaces like this right across the Lower Mainland.
“When we go to other places, it’s hard because it’s so big and so loud, the kids don’t know that he can’t speak, and the other kids too don’t seem to give him the space,” one parent said.
Danielle Karlsson, parent of three-year-old Beau, didn’t expect him to love the space so much.
“I didn’t expect him to care – it’s a fun space, but the first time we left he was crying and we had to calm him down and say, ‘It’s okay we’re coming back,’” she explained.
Ocampo says the space is welcoming for all those with diverse needs.
“Everyone understands them, all the other parents here are so understanding because they are going through the exact same thing,” she said.
The Cove is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.