A new entertainment spot for young children will soon be opening in Turlock after the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Play Laugh Always Young.

The proposed indoor playground will be located at 749 N. Golden State Blvd. (former site of the Goodwill) in the Turlock Town Center.  The 11,500 square foot facility will cater to children up to age 10 and include soft play areas, climbing structures, obstacle courses, interactive games and sensory activities aimed at fostering physical, cognitive and social development. The playground will also have seating areas for parents as well as restrooms.

The project will not require any physical expansion or modification of the building, but the Turlock Municipal Code states any commercial recreation or entertainment center over 2,000 square feet needs to obtain a conditional use permit.

“One of the key advantages to this location, is the Turlock Town Center is a well established mixed use development. It offers a balanced mix of retail stores, personal services and restaurants, making it a vibrant and active part of the community,” said Development director Adrienne Werner to the Planning Commission.

Werner went on to note that there is ample parking available that includes 857 parking stalls, well above the 610 required by the city for the indoor playground.

Additionally, the city received no protests or complaints when neighbors within 500 feet of the proposed business were notified.

“We are a small, family-owned business,” said Play Laugh Always Young owner Natalie Topete. “We have another location in Modesto and we’ve been open for seven years now. We are looking forward to helping (the Turlock Town Center) do well and taking over the current lease for the vacant location and bringing our business to Turlock.”

Topete said they hope to have the indoor playground open for business by June and expect to hire up to 10 employees.