![Construction workers build a new Sky Zone Trampoline Park, in a former Albertsons store at 5000 E. Fourth Plain Blvd. This is the first metro area location for Sky Zone, a national franchise-based trampoline and jumping play center. The center is expected to open by mid-summer.]()
"Take the leap!"
It's a three-word phrase that turns up in a lot of places. At corporate retreats. Classrooms. Career counselor offices. Fund raisers. Even living rooms. And, by mid-summer, people will be taking leaps and bounds at the region's first Sky Zone Trampoline Park.
Construction is well underway at 5000 E. Fourth Plain Boulevard, across from the recently closed -- yet still beloved -- Golden Skate. "We wanted a very central location, where most of the community could drive in 20 minutes or less," said Carrie Schnell, franchise owner of the park.
Trampolines mean different things to different people. The point in common, of course, is jumping. Trampolines have long since bounced from backyards to "parks," meaning lots of trampolines and a bevy of other activities, too. One of the prominent brands in the business is Sky Zone, with 135 parks across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia.
The Vancouver Sky Zone will utilize its trampolines in various configurations based on the activity taking place. If you want to live large, there are trampolines to match. One is used for open jumping, three are used for dodgeball and two more for basketball. Let's say you've dreamed forever to dunk like they do in high school, college and the NBA. You'll at long last get your shot.
Another court is used to play one-on-one basketball with a new twist. You'll be jumping, not running to your favorite shooting spot. Calories get burned with quite a flurry.
"We wanted the community to have an additional option for healthy family fun," Schnell said. When asked about the center's target audiences, Schnell said, "It's truly a family space. If you can walk, you can jump -- so we could see 4- and 5-year-old jumpers, school aged kids and adults of any age." She pointed out that the trampolines are constantly managed so that jumpers are with others of a similar age and size.
Construction is going well in the building that housed an Albertsons grocery store for many years. According to Schnell, sites that could meet the design specifications were hard to find. In addition to substantial footage (the site has 32,000 square feet), the overall ceiling height had to be taller than usual to accommodate the jumping and the heights of the infrastructure.
The former grocery store was a near-perfect match. "The major plus was that the overall footprint for a Sky Zone fit very well in the building," Schnell said.
Park customers will arrive at a large mezzanine just beyond the entryway. Tickets can be purchased online or at the facility.
The cost to use the trampolines is based on how long you want to jump. Prices have not yet been finalized for the Vancouver location.
In addition to the array of trampolines, there will be a huge foam pit where hundreds of soft blocks make for soft landings. A special toddlers area will be available for the youngest members of the family.
There will be several flexible-space areas for meetings, parties and other activities. Parents will have their own lounge area with great views of the trampolines. Pizza made and cooked on site is just a few steps away.
Anticipating that they'll need 80 to 100 people to cover staffing for the new Sky Zone Trampoline Park, General Manager Jerid Falconer is actively recruiting employees.
For updates on a hiring fair to be scheduled for late May or early June, go to Sky Zone Vancouver's Facebook page.
Additional information on the park can be found at
www.skyzone.com/vancouver.
