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New inclusive kids gym opens to big crowd
"May the Fourth be with you" was certainly appropriate at We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym Saturday, as members of the 501st were on patrol there.
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A new accessible and all-inclusive resource was welcomed to Rio Rancho and the West Side Saturday, May 4, with the grand opening of We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym.
Courtney Lewis-Utrata, the CEO of the facility at 1101 Golf Course, Suite 103 (just south of Southern Boulevard), said it was a “huge success.”
Right after the doors opened at 10 a.m., she said, “There was little to no pause in the traffic that entered them until 5. The children enjoyed (themselves) on the 10 sensory swings, the trampoline, rock wall, toddler play center, calming room, climbing equipment, zip slider and imagination stations.”
Their parents, other family members and guests also enjoyed food provided Hot Tamales, Chili’s, McDonald’s, Starbucks and Baja Tacos.
Lewis-Utrata said she heard from many visitors about “how excited they were to have this resource in the community. People signed up for summer camps, our developmental learning program 'Play! Learn! Grow!' and memberships. They were excited to buy packages of open play passes and learn about our We Rock Care programs.”
Outside, 501st Star Wars Stormtroopers marched around to take pictures with children, who were thrilled to also meet Darth Vader and Darth Mal.
Two metro area radio stations and a TV station showed up to give some attention to the facility, a gym for neurodivergent kids in the area, their neurotypical siblings and friends.
“Overall, we were astounded at the turnout and thrilled to bring this fun (here),” Lewis-Utrata said.
