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Tag: Yippie’s PlayCenter

  • New indoor play center opens in Citrus Heights

    Yippie's Playcenter
    Yippie’s Playcenter in Citrus Heights features a 25-by-50 foot play structure, among other kid-friendly attractions. // CH Sentinel

    By Thomas J. Sullivan–
    Doors are now open at Yippie’s Playcenter in Citrus Heights, a 5,800-square-foot indoor center featuring a large two-level play structure, a bounce house, foam pit and other kid-friendly activities.

    The play center is located near the corner of Antelope Road and Sunrise Boulevard at 7777 Sunrise Blvd., Suite 1700, situated next to the Corner Pocket Sports Bar.

    The play center held its grand opening on Aug. 17, but some hiccups related to permitting caused the center to close for several days before re-opening on Aug. 29.

    The sprawling 25-by-50-foot two-level play structure features a maze of compartments, tunnels, and climbing spaces for children to explore. The center also features multiple sensory areas, a foam pit and an interactive floor where a projected screen allows kids to interact with different games.

    Opposite the primary play structure, there’s a snack bar with table seating which features a menu of child-friendly “Dino Grub” in the “Din-o-ing Area.” A larger area in the rear is available for reserving children’s birthday parties.

    During the grand opening, owner Ricardo Snovel, his wife Haley, and their young son Noah, were all smiles as they encouraged their first young visitors and their families to explore all of the many different play spaces the new center has to offer.

    “It’s a perfect stop after a busy day for families with young children to just have fun,” Snovel told The Sentinel. “We’re looking to do quite a bit of after-school business, now that school is back in session.”

    YIPPIE’S COUPON: Sentinel readers get $2 off per child at Yippie’s (click here)

    Yippie’s Playcenter is geared for children age 1-12. Children and parents must obtain an admission stamp at the front desk and sign a waiver before entering its play structures. Parents or family members bringing young children are reminded that socks must be worn at all times.

    Admission price is $9 per child and $1 for parents. Children one year old or younger are admitted free. Admission comes with unlimited use all day, although re-entry is not allowed.

    Yippie’s Playcenter is a smoke-free facility and any adult under the influence will be asked to leave without refund and will be banned, Snovel said.

    Yippie’s Playcenter is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m .to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

  • New indoor play center proposed in Citrus Heights

    An image from the Planning Commission’s April 24, 2019 agenda packet shows where a playcenter has been proposed at the corner of Sunrise Blvd. and Antelope Rd.

    By Thomas J. Sullivan–
    Parents and kids may soon have a reason to shout “Yippie!” if a planned indoor play area in Sunrise Plaza at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Antelope Road is able to open as planned this summer.

    On April 24, the Citrus Heights Planning Commission will review the application of Sacramento resident and young dad Ricardo Snovel to open the first Yippie’s Playcenter, a 5,830 square-foot indoor children’s play area modeled after the popular Chuck E. Cheese-themed restaurant.

    The center is planned to take up the vacant space at 7777 Sunrise Blvd., Suite 1700, next to the Corner Pocket Sports Bar and a tattoo shop.

    Yippie’s Playcenter would feature a simple snack bar and a refreshment area for parents and a colorful play structure in air-conditioned comfort for the kids to enjoy, according to Snovel.

    “There would be really nothing like it in Citrus Heights”, Snovel said. “Our playcenter would be much smaller in size and a perfect play space for families in the Antelope Road area to stop in and have fun.”

    “Yippie,” a flying green dinosaur, is the new mascot of Yippie’s Playcenter. Public comment remains open on Snovel’s application, which was filed with the Citrus Heights Planning Department on Feb. 6.

    A public hearing will be held during the Planning Commission’s April 24 meeting. Several nearby businesses signed letters of support for the intended use as a play center, which were submitted to the Planning Commission.

    Carmichael architect Gerald Beck submitted interior drawings of the site to the city planning commission. The proposed location was the site of a beauty parlor and is already ADA compliant.

    The proposed space can handle the likely occupancy of children and adults the play center might attract, Beck said. Interior improvements call for the construction of a large colorful play structure, a snack bar and a larger meeting room suitable to hosting children’s birthday parties, he said.

    Approval by the Sacramento Metro Fire District is required as potential occupancy capacity concerns have to be addressed, Snovel said. “We will be looking to see what they require of us before determining what type of interior play structure we can build.”

    On average, cost of an interior play structure can run between $30,000 on up, he said.

    Snovel said he considered several sites before choosing Sunrise Plaza. The proposed play center is near a number of family friendly retailers in the area including Leatherby’s Ice Cream, Mountain Mike’s Pizza and the Family Fitness Center, “just to name a few,” he said.

    Yippie’s Playcenter is geared for ages 12 and under, and Snovel says he’s anticipating doing some brisk after-school business.

    Plans to launch Yippie’s Playcenter began with a social media campaign earlier this spring to gauge public reaction. “I’m aware that the public might consider where Yippie’s Playcenter might be unusual, that is near a popular bar, The Corner Pocket, and that there’s a tattoo shop nearby,” he said.

    “We’ve solicited feedback from neighbors and families nearby and the response has generally been positive. We’re looking at the hours we’re planning to be open so that we take into account the safety of families and children who may come to Yippie’s Playcenter.”

    “We’re hoping to open later this summer, if we meet with the city’s approval,” Snovel said.

    Want to know how Wednesday’s public hearing went? Click here to subscribe to The Sentinel and read our followup story this weekend.