BIDDEFORD — Children and their parents were sad to learn over the weekend that The Yard at the Mill, a 7,300-square-foot indoor playground and pediatric wellness center in Biddeford’s Pepperell Mill, will be closing at the end of April.

“We do not take this decision lightly, and realize that this is likely as much of a surprise to you as it feels to us,” owner Stacey Maguire said on the center’s Facebook page Saturday. “We have loved being a part of your families for these last few years, and consider you part of ours. You are all responsible for making this dream of ours come true, and we truly thank you for playing.”

Maguire did not return requests for additional comment, but said Monday she would not be relocating her business upon its closure at the end of the month.

The massive space, with 18-foot-high ceilings and bank of 14 vaulted windows, comes complete with every playful child’s desire. Occupying the space are jungle gyms and climbing domes, swing sets and novelty swings, basketball hoops and ride-on toys.

Since its opening in 2014, the spot has been a destination for both rowdy children’s birthday parties and a solace for those looking to enjoy time with their kids.

Scott Joslin, chief operating officer for the Pepperell Mill Campus, said there have been recent discrepancies between the business and campus administration, despite high rates of success for businesses in the space.

“There’s some pretty profound differences, and that does need to be worked through … we have 120 businesses here and 99 percent are fully satisfied, fully-leased, so this is sort of an anomaly for us,” he said Tuesday.

Joslin did not say specifically what “profound differences” arose between the two entities, but said campus officials are working with the company to negotiate its lease terms.

“We’ve been informed they’re leaving and they have a lease with us, so we are going to work through this,” he said.

In addition to offering kids a place to play, The Yard also offered children ages 9 and under pediatric occupational therapy services.

“All the services (Maguire) offered really filled a void in the community,” Daniel Stevenson, the city’s economic development director,  said Monday. “This is a big loss in our community because that service is gone.”

Stevenson also said Maguire’s business was unique not just to Biddeford, but the southern Maine area as a whole.

“It was wonderful business that supported a great need in this community,” Stevenson said. “(Maguire) was a leader in the industry to do that.”

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.