Trampoline ‘craze’ hits Nelson
Nelson’s first trampoline park is set to open at Tahunanui Beach next month — weeks ahead of schedule.
Jump, Bounce and More, a 700 square-metre, multi-purpose, outdoor trampoline park, is expected to open at Nelson Fun Park in midFebruary, owner Nick Fowler said.
He said the trampoline manufacturers in China were ahead of schedule so the park was on-track to open earlier than expected. The trampoline park is the latest family-friendly entertainment venture for Fowler, who also owns Pro Karts, Laser Tag and other fun park activities at the Tahunanui site.
‘‘For me, being in the industry with go karts and laser tag and being in a fun park we’re always looking for new activities to add to what we’ve got and things that aren’t being done in Nelson already.’’
He said plans for the trampoline park had been in progress for about 18 months. The Nelson City Council approved the lease of land near the Pro Karts track in October.
The trampoline park will include close to 60 trampolines linked together across four separate areas. Activities include dodgeball and slam dunk courts, gladiator duel, a climbing wall, bungy trampoline and free jump zone.
Fowler said there would also be an area for pre-schoolers. Contractors will begin laying the foundations next week and the trampolines were en route from China, Fowler said.
He said trampoline parks were the ‘‘latest craze’’ in New Zealand and he was excited to be bringing the first one to Nelson.
‘‘They’re popping up everywhere, they’re going crazy.’’
Unlike most trampoline parks in New Zealand, Jump, Bounce and More will be outdoors, covered by water-resistant shade sails.
Fowler said he was confident in Nelson’s good weather and being outdoors was preferable to having people jumping around in a ‘‘stinky, sweaty building’’.
He said the target market was five to 18-year-olds.
‘‘In saying that, it’s also a hell of a lot of fun for adults and it’s great exercise,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a good way for parents to come along and have fun with their kids and actually burn some calories at the same time.’’
Fowler said he will have spent about $250,000 on the park by the time it opens, but based on industry research, he expected the business would exceed economic projections.
He said he was taking bookings for parties and events from March 1.