Creating A Local Play Space

[AbriForm]

I just started a discussion on another forum (okay, FetLife) about the notion of creating a local play space.

[Bettypooh]

Cooperative ventures require reliable funding, and there's more to creating that space than just rent- you've got utility bills (at commercial rates which may be higher ) and liability insurance to consider. You will also need a 'certificate of occupancy (a "CO' in business jargon) which has to have a listed purpose, so call it a 'conference space' which has the lowest fiscal liabilities. With the right people this is a very viable idea Just do all the math first and see what it will take to keep it open. You could look for space with several rooms already built instead of a shell building- this will allow several different interests to co-habitate, adding more 'investors' to the payment base Also look for something with a discreet back door and parking in back- many folks will want that kind of discretion To make it user-friendly install a "Simplex" lock on the back door- this is like the ones inside of banks with push-button combinations that keep the public from behind the counter. Change the combination monthly (easy to do) so only current members can get in. Most important is to establish a core group of people who will spend the money, time, and effort needed to maintain this. It will be best to always have one of these people on site or at least as much as possible to keep an eye on things. To generate extra revenue you can install rented lockers for diapers and other 'toys' to be stored in and have a couple changing rooms too. The fixtures (chairs, lockers, tables, etc) can come from Freecycle or Craigslist. You can also rent out time-shared space for other group meetings in a segregated area in the front to generate revenue. Be sure that members know who is going to be in those meetings so they can schedule their play-times around that. If there is enough interest and cash a full adult nursery would be a possibility and a community asset

[Little BabyDoll Christine]

Probably the best way to get started is for the first members to meet at somebody's house or a building owned by one of the members and on a very casual basis, mabye as ABDL parties of 4 to 8 or 10, depending on the size of the house(s) of those who can and are willing. That is how the first 3 centuries of Christianity were practaced and also some things that I have been a part of

If it gets bigger, then you can think about renting and all that BP said. But you first need to have a reliable guage of interest before th cards come out: Maybe get some input from nursery mommies or the "Little"s groups and create a pool of knowledge

Even from the start, there will be a question of money. If you meet at somebody's house, there is a proper amount of compensation for the incidentals (food, supplies and things like that). That is addressed in several ways: "passing the hat", an agreed to amount, each one bringing goodies/pot luck. For diapers, there may be an issue of the diaper pail and like that

In facr, since this does involve several persons, to have a clear and thorough understanding, you may want to start by setting up a "template" listing what is needed/wanted and just fill in the answers on the basis of general agreement then letting it evolve from there. Once you get to over a dozen, with the addition of newcomers there may need to be some formality to the organizational aspects (division of labor and customs and courtesies)