InspireU celebrates visitor milestones in first quarter
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Back in December, Downtown St. Joseph welcomed its newest business, the InspireU Children’s Discovery Center. Three months later, this playground for learning and discovery has already seen over 20,000 visitors and signed up 1,000 memberships.
Mosaic Foundation President, Julie Gaddie, said the Discovery Center was blessed by the community who has chosen to visit, but they'd be nowhere without their dedicated staff.
“We just have people who love young families and we're really, really pleased to welcome so many through the doors in the last few weeks," she said. "But the secret to our success is the staff that's here right on site with them every single day."
Visitors will notice several areas inspired by St. Joseph staples, including the Buchanan County EMS play station, the rooftop Ebenzer ferryboat and the News-Press NOW news station play area.
"InspireU is designed to be a center to build community pride," Gaddie said. "There's nothing like standing on the rooftop and looking off to the west and seeing the Missouri River. Appreciating all our history with the riverboat, but also looking to the future as we look at all of the young families, moms, dads, littles, grandparents coming through the door and we know the future of our community is very strong here at InspireU."
Whether they’re shooting hoops at the Hillyard Basketball area, going down the gigantic slide or just rocking out on the many musical instruments throughout the center, the kids seem to love all of the attractions InspireU has to offer.
“Every kid seems to love the space," Gaddie said. "They're just running around and they can't get enough of it. So I don't know that we can really crown the most popular attraction right now, but every space is feeling the love from our youngest folks.”
The Discovery Center has several events planned over spring break including a Cardboard Castle build, Community Art Nature collage and Giant Bubbles on the Rooftop.
To learn more about the Discovery Center's upcoming events, visit its website at inspireu.com.
