Austin's Playroom opens at The Watson Institute in Leet

A new Austin’s Playroom has opened at The Watson Institute in Leet.

“We’re so pleased to have an Austin’s Playroom in our newly-renovated space and know that it will bring smiles and laughter to our children and families as they await their appointments,” said Barry W. Bohn, president and CEO of the Watson Institute.

The ribbon was cut on Oct. 21.

Austin’s Playroom, an initiative of the Mario Lemieux Foundation, features comfortable child-sized furnishings, as well as games, toys, books, electronics and child-friendly artwork. Nathalie Lemieux uniquely and personally designs each playroom. Each playroom features wall-mounted games, large screen TV and much more, inside a brightly painted room.

“We are so pleased to open the 40th Austin’s Playroom,” Nathalie Lemieux said. “Our goal is to reach as many children and families as possible, and we are excited to bring an Austin’s Playroom to the children and families served by the Watson Institute. As a resident of Sewickley, I’m so happy to have this playroom located within my community.”

Austin’s Playrooms was established as a result of Nathalie and Mario Lemieux’s personal experience while caring for their infant son, Austin. In 1996, Austin was born profoundly premature and spent 71 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. While they were caring for Austin, there was nothing to engage his sisters, who were both toddlers at the time. It was then Mario and Nathalie realized a need for playrooms and began their plan to establish Austin’s Playrooms.