A snow day could turn into a play day for children at the new Green Ridge Recreation Center in North Roanoke County.

The facility, which opened Jan. 1, will hold a special child care program if Roanoke County Public Schools are closed.

The program will be similar to one the Brambleton Recreation Center has offered in years past, said Tammy Tejada, the recreation programmer for the new center.

"It gives the kids someplace fun to go if the parents still have to work," Tejada said.

Children will be able to explore the new pool and gym, plus there will be time for arts and crafts.

The program will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is for children ages 5 to 11. Parents can also choose to send children for a half day.

Costs at Green Ridge are: $50 for a full day, or $25 for a half day (either 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.). Participants should bring a lunch with no glass containers.

Details on the Brambleton program were unavailable.

The Green Ridge center is at 7415 Wood Haven Road, off Peters Creek Road near the Interstate 581 interchange.

For more information, parents can call 777-6300.

-- Sarah Bruyn Jones