ENCORE! The Chippewa Falls YMCA is partnering with the Children's Museum of Eau Claire to offer a new PlaySpace in the YMCA, shown above. It will hold its grand opening on Monday, Nov. 4.  (Submitted photo)

The Chippewa Falls YMCA and Children’s Museum of Eau Claire have partnered to bring back the PlaySpace, an attraction tailored to kids that will offer a large variety of fun, educational games and activities.

In an announcement on Friday, Nov. 1, the YMCA shared the PlaySpace will be an additional free benefit to existing YMCA members when it opens on Monday, Nov. 4. The PlaySpace will be made possible thanks to a grant from AnnMarie Foundation Inc., the support of Mike and Dawn Bye, and the YMCA’s partnership with the museum.

While the PlaySpace will not necessarily be a brand-new concept to Chippewa Falls families –  there were PlaySpaces in both Chippewa Falls and Menomonie from 2021 to 2023 thanks to COVID-era grant funding – it will be a new addition to the city’s YMCA.

“Partnership with the YMCA to bring the PlaySpace back to Chippewa Fall was a no-brainer. They serve the community in so many ways already.”

MIKE LEE

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF EAU CLAIRE CEO

The new PlaySpace will be at the Chippewa Falls YMCA in the former racquetball court no. 2, and will host its grand opening from 10-11am on Nov. 4. The court was remodeled and is now suited to physical play as well as engineering challenges, robotics activities, and more.

“Partnership with the YMCA to bring the PlaySpace back to Chippewa Falls was a no-brainer,” Mike Lee, the museum’s CEO, stated in a recent media release. “They serve the community in so many ways already. The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire is thrilled to help bring this space to life and continue to support it, and the YMCA, for years to come.”

The PlaySpace will be accessible to non-YMCA members by purchase of a day pass. For YMCA members, the PlaySpace is free to use and is geared specifically toward kids ages 2-14. Children ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult or someone aged 16 or older.

“We are beyond excited to open our doors to the community’s families and witness the wonders of learning meld with the spirit of play,” said Carrie Mathwig, C.F. YMCA executive director.

For more information about the Chippewa Valley YMCAs and the PlaySpace at the Chippewa Falls YMCA (611 Jefferson Ave., Chippewa Falls), visit ymca-cv.org • Carrie Mathwig can be contacted at (715) 861-2352