Family fun just got bigger, as in 6000-sqm bigger, in Strathpine! A giant indoor play centre is set to open as part of a $50-million development at the Country Club Hotel on Gympie Road, just across from Pine Rivers Park.
The expansive play area will feature diverse attractions, including climbing walls, a trampoline park, a high ropes course, a ninja park, multi-storey playgrounds, giant inflatables, mega slides, and sports courts. This new venue will join Area 51’s existing centre in Underwood and a smaller site scheduled to open on Anzac Avenue, Redcliffe, in February next year. The company also plans further expansion with new locations for Mount Gravatt in January and Bundamba next November.
Area 51’s Operations Manager, Michael Affleck, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with the Comiskey Group. He explained that the company was pleased to work with such a well-regarded organisation and felt confident that the collaboration aligned with Area 51’s goals for innovative growth. He also noted a perceived lack of diverse entertainment options in the Moreton Bay region, which the new centre aims to address.
The development in Strathpine reflects a growing trend of indoor play centres with accompanying cafes opening in the Moreton Bay region. Demographics Group co-founder and research director Simon Kuestenmacher, observed that this area is experiencing significant growth, suggesting that more such facilities are likely. He explained that these centres cater to modern family needs, allowing parents to relax or work remotely in the café while their children play in a safe environment.
Mr Kuestenmacher connected the increasing popularity of indoor entertainment venues to changes in urban planning and lifestyle. He explained that children historically played in backyards, streets, and parks. Still, smaller residential blocks, reduced backyard space, fewer play areas, and parental safety concerns have led to a demand for alternative play options.
Other businesses have also invested in this trend. Jungle Adventure Play added a $20 million centre at North Lakes to its existing Tingalpa location. Bounce Morayfield launched an “adrenaline playground” off Morayfield Road in June 2023, adding to its Bounce centre in Tingalpa.
Existing venues include Chipmunks Indoor Playground at North Lakes and Morayfield, Lollipops Adventure Playground in Strathpine, and Revolution Sports Park in North Lakes.
Published Date 17-December-2024
