Prior Lake, Minnesota - It was January 9, 1995, when Playworks first opened their doors. Now 15 years later, Playworks is still taking excellent care of children. Playworks will celebrate this anniversary on Saturday, January 9, 2010, with a special open house event.

“Playworks provides a valuable service to our members and employees by providing quality child care in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment,” said SMSC Chairman Stanley R. Crooks.

Parents and children are invited for free Family Play on that day with each child receiving a free gift. Games, contests, prize drawings, and activities for all ages will make January 9th a very special day at Playworks. Those ordering from the PWs Grill will receive a free cupcake. A special $15 Party Pack will include a large one-topping pizza, a pitcher of pop, and 15 arcade tokens.

As an added bonus, an online coupon for a free seven inch Pixie Cheese Pizza is available simply by going to www.playworksfun.com, printing the coupon and bringing it in on January 9th! Children in Playworks’ care on January 9th will also enjoy the festivities in the Atrium. PW and Pixie, the cuddly Playworks’ mascots, will make an appearance and take pictures with the children.

Playworks is a one-of-a-kind, world-class facility for children, open to the general public for Before and After School Age Care, Summer Camp, birthday parties, PW’s Playtime (drop-off hourly care), Family Play, and Group Trips. Playworks features incredible variety, from interactive, age-appropriate computer games and arcade games, arts and crafts, reading, building blocks, and more. Professional teachers work with children to encourage them on their learning adventure.

Playworks has a fabulous indoor play area which contains the area’s largest indoor playground. Highlighting the Atrium’s new look which was completed in 2009 is a bigger, taller, playstructure which offers children an incredible number of twists, turns, webs, bridges, climbs, slides, and imaginative and fun activities. Because the playstructure is made out of strong, yet lightweight composite mesh, parents can watch their children playing and having fun inside the playstructure. The 8’x8’ interactive floor under the playstructure gives parents and children an opportunity to play games and dance together.

As part of the renovation, the Arcade has been moved to a different area inside the Atrium. The Arcade features a variety of new, interactive movement games, along with past favorites, including ticket redemption games. Children love to redeem game tickets at PWs Redemption Counter.

The renovation also included the addition of more interactive, non-violent arcade games like Wii, Playstation 3, and X-Box 360, along with a new host stand, expanded seating and new flooring. Large screen monitors were mounted throughout the Atrium. The enclosed Toddler area, where families and young children can play together, was also relocated. Building updates to lighting, security cameras, fire alarms, and sprinklers was also completed in 2009.

“We’re happy to celebrate fifteen years serving local families. The early childhood years lay the foundation for children’s successes in school and later in life, and we’re happy to be a part of that. Because this time is so important, we thank our children and their families for a great fifteen years,” said Playworks Director Amy Donaldson.

About Playworks

Playworks is owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, a federally recognized Indian Tribe near the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Playworks is located 1/2 mile south of Mystic Lake Casino Hotel at 2200 Trail of Dreams, Prior Lake, Minnesota. For more information call Playworks at 952-445-PLAY (7529) or see our website at www.playworksfun.com.