A local theatre company has organized a deal with the city of Tempe for a new building and location for their productions.

The Childsplay theater company, known for it’s family-friendly productions staring local children, has agreed to pay Tempe a substantially below-market rate in order to lease a building from the city.

Childsplay, which provides “theatre for everyone,” is a popular resource for the Tempe community, providing imaginative children with an outlet for their creativity.

Childsplay currently occupies nearly 35,000 square feet at the former site of Mitchell Elementary School, Near University Drive and Ninth Street. With this new agreement, Childsplay will pay $1,500 in rent per month, which amounts to a much lower rate than other properties in the same area.

According to the city, this low rent is based in part on Childsplay’s remaining responsibility to cover repairs the plumbing, heating and cooling systems and the roof throughout the 50-year-lease.

Childsplay has occupied this same property for nearly 10 years, offering programs for local children at the site, as well as using the building for rehearsal, classroom, preparation, storage and office space.

According to the city, the lease of the building to Childsplay benefits the public because it provides a family-friendly use for the building that could otherwise remain empty. With this deal, the organization can continue providing entertainment and learning opportunities for the community and give local children an outlet to explore their creative, performing potential.