Rotterdam family starts gathering spot for kids, parents
One mother from Rotterdam decided she needed to start a spot for local children to play and interact, along with connecting parents.
The Rotterdam playroom, My Place to Play, held a grand opening ceremony on Saturday, May 14, which brought owner Kay Masick’s vision to the public. Being a Rotterdam resident, Masick wanted to bring something new to her community and open a playroom for children to come in and socialize with each other. Besides the kids, she said, parents have also connected with each other and can share their experiences.
We started working on it when my husband and I had our daughter, said Kay Masick, owner of My Place to Play. `At the time we didn’t have any friends with children, and being a stay at home mom, there was a lot of afternoons we were staying home lonely.`
She had her daughter in 1997 and then her son in 2006, with the business plan developing over time. The biggest issue for her though was obtaining funding for her business venture.
`It took us over four years to get the funding,` she said.
After years of searching, the Community Loan Fund of the Capital District provided the needed financial support. The organization is a non-profit financial institution with a focus on community development.
`We were pleased to work with Kay to help her realize her dream. My Place to Play is a great idea and we will continue to support Kay as her business grows,` said Joe Landy, lending officer for Community Loan Fund.
Local representatives were also on hand during the ceremony, and Assemblyman George Amedore praised the Masick family on their perseverance to follow their goal.
`As a businessman, I know first-hand the courage it takes to have a vision and then devote your time and talents in making that dream come true. I commend the Masick family for not only all the hard work that went into making My Place to Play a reality, but most importantly for their passion for community,` said Amedore. `I believe this establishment will help bring families and ultimately the community together.`
Some of the inspiration behind Masick’s vision came from visiting local business, but she said the hands-on nature at the Saratoga Children’s Museum really appealed to her. Many locations she liked to visit were in Albany, but she couldn’t find what she was looking for locally.
`My husband and I both grew up in Rotterdam we really felt this community was in need of something local,` she said. `I really enjoy watching the kids interact with each other. They make friends instantly and don’t worry about whether or not they will get along. The next thing you know they are instant friends as soon as the kids start to play the mothers start to talk.`
So far, she said, there have been around 100 people that have come to the playroom, which includes model shop areas replicating a cafE, workshop and vehicle room, arcade room and toddler area. Preschool will also begin in September running alternating days for three year olds and four year old during the week. Summer camps are planned and parties can also be booked.
Masick is still hoping to expand its offerings in the future.
`We would love to expand to offer after-school care for kindergarten-through-third grades to give a safe and encouraging environment,` she said. `Coming soon, we will offer Pre-K book-club, art classes and ‘Mommy and Me’ classes for those with children under eighteen months.`
For information on My Place to Play visit www.myplace2play.com, which has information on prices, hours and programming.“
