Clovis gym for children of all abilities opens June 27

A new sensory gym in Clovis opened its doors to children of all abilities, with a special focus on kids with autism and other special healthcare needs. We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym held its grand opening Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 80 W. Bullard Ave., Suite 110, in the former Camp Transformation space at Bullard and Minnewawa avenues.

The nearly 5,000-square-foot facility is the Central Valley’s first We Rock the Spectrum franchise, part of a chain that says it operates more than 200 sensory gyms worldwide. Christopher Reyes, a former nurse of 15 years, is opening the Clovis location after leaving nursing after the pandemic because of burnout and deciding to pursue entrepreneurship. He first found the concept while living in Los Angeles and said he believed the Valley needed the same kind of place.

The gym is set up differently from a standard indoor play space. The Clovis Chamber describes it as an indoor playground and sensory gym for children of all abilities, including those with autism. The franchise says its spaces are designed to foster learning, exploration and safe sensory experiences, and its nonprofit, My Brother Rocks The Spectrum Foundation, provides social-skills groups and activities for children across the spectrum.

Reyes said the building can legally hold up to 100 occupants, but day-to-day attendance will usually be limited to about 30 children at a time so families can stay in a more comfortable environment. That lower-capacity model is aimed at children who do better in a calmer setting than a crowded trampoline park or conventional play center.

The Clovis location currently employs about 10 staff members, known as coaches, and hiring is still underway. Along with open play, the business plans to offer preschool and after-school programs, birthday parties, summer camps, event space and Parents’ Night Out events.

For Fresno County families looking for a nearby option that is built around sensory sensitivity rather than raw volume, the Clovis gym fills a niche that has often required a longer drive. Its opening adds a specialized recreation spot to the city’s business mix and gives parents a local choice for children who need a more controlled setting to play, learn and socialize.