MPR child center gets makeover
The new child watch area at the Maryville Community Center is complete with added security, new paint, safari murals, and new furniture.
Over the past two weeks, the child watch area at the Maryville Community Center has been closed for remodeling.
Wednesday was the first day back in service with a much-needed makeover that includes brighter colors, added safety features, and a safari-themed collection of hand-painted murals.
“There was a lot that we thought needed to be done with this room,” said Maryville Parks & Recreation Director Aaron Dobson. “With the help and talents of our staff, we were able to do all of this in-house and minimize the cost to make these improvements.”
Dobson and maintenance worker Steve Griffith built a front counter for registration purposes that doubles as a security checkpoint with storage for toys and games.
“The counter with the attached gate was key in the addition of three points of safety we added to the child-watch area,” Dobson said. “It keeps parents from walking throughout the entire watch area and it keeps kids from running out of the room.”
Dobson said a third safety point is the chime that sounds anytime the door to the child watch area is opened.
“When I got here, the walls to the room were gray, which did not look like an appropriate color for children, and it made the room look small,” Dobson said. “The lighter color just gives the space a better feel. We can’t knock down walls to make the space larger physically, so we have to do what we can with what we have.”
Student employees Megan Gangwish and Kellie Higley painted the safari-themed murals, which includes lions, monkeys, giraffes, and zebras.
“We wanted something to put on the walls that invited imagination,” Dobson said. “We were fortunate to have Megan and Kellie step up to that challenge and make some excellent murals.”
Other new inclusions to the child-watch space are a reading nook that doubles as the TV-watching area, additional shelving to free up floor space, and beanbag furniture to make the space more comfortable.
Child watch at the MCC is operational from 8 to 11 a.m. and 3:45 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 to 11 a.m. and 3:45 to 6 p.m. Fridays; and 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays. Hours are subject to change from month to month, depending on programs offered.
The service is free for members with infant children to 7-year-olds. Non-members are charged $2 per hour per child.
The safari-themed murals were painted by Maryville Community Center student employees Megan Gangwish and Kellie Higley.