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The brainchild of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ design and fabrication firm, , the future center will be a gathering place for children to develop critical thinking skills and take risks.

“The general idea is of an adventure playground that isn’t equipped with plastic furniture, rather there will be areas with junk that kids can put together in their own way,� said Joseph O’Connell, founder and owner of Creative Machines. “We set up situations that allow kids to take risks.�

Risk, he said, is psychological versus a physical hazard.

“After years of field trips, we’re still on our first box of Band-Aids,� O’Connell said. “Humans figured it out by teetering on the edge of logs to grab fruit off the vines and we’re trying to create a place where that can be replicated.�

A complementary component at Second Sky is a respite for parents and caretakers with a café and bar within eyesight of the kiddos.

“It will be a place for adults to be adjacent to the kids, but not hovering over them,� O’Connell said. “If you think about it, when you take the kids to a jumping castle or a children’s museum, there’s not a lot for adults to do but sit on the bench.�

Second Sky will have a pickleball court for adults and gathering spots to get information on resources and meet other parents in a relaxed setting.

“The kids will be able to look over their shoulder and see their parents,� O’Connell said. “It will be quite natural to have multiple generations in the same space.�

Founded in 1995 in O’Connell’s garage, Creative Machines began as designer of museum exhibits with the goal of fabricating interactive experiences that encourage creativity.

In 2001, Creative Machines moved to ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and grew quickly, as did the size of the projects, such as the scientifically accurate erupting volcano, at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.

By 2016, the company grew into its current space at 4141 E. Irvington Road, near Alvernon Way.

The property includes an 8-acre yard and 77,000 square feet of workshop space.

When O’Connell first hosted field trips to the property, kids were asked to “test drive� the interactive projects and give feedback on pieces such as the human hamster wheel.

The outings were very popular and soon several schools were signing up for adventure time at the Creative Machines campus.

That’s where the idea of the Second Sky community center was formed, a permanent spot for bringing people together, O’Connell said.

And not just for kids and caretakers.

The reason for adding wine and beer selection at the café is to encourage all ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ans to stop in.

Second Sky aims to “be home to a group of young singles doing a happy hour bodyweight exercise, some businesspeople closing a deal over drinks, a home-school group doing a STEM activity, and an after-school group building structures while waiting for their caregivers.�

Local art studio, , will be moving onto the campus next to the future Second Sky.

“I really love what Second Sky aims to do and it’s valuable for children and aligns with what I’m doing which is to create a space for children to explore,� said Sam Tang, the studio’s owner.

The studio has art sensory classes designed for babies through teenagers and offers courses and some drop-in classes.

O’Connell said the Second Sky project will resemble the model used by in Boulder, Colorado, which has become a popular scene.

The project budget for Second Sky is about $3.5 million, and construction is expected to begin early this year.

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