Maureen Wallenfang
Appleton Post-Crescent
Published 12:18 PM EDT Oct 30, 2019
Now that half a dozen new and existing indoor family activity centers are open around the Fox Cities, one big question remains:
What about the 800-pound gorilla coming to Grand Chute?
That would be Urban Air Adventure Park, a 55,000-square-foot jumble of things to do.
Adding in new mezzanines, it’s nearly 58,000 square feet.
The massive $5 million park is under construction in the old Gordmans space at 4741 W. Lawrence St.
It will be the largest indoor playground in the Fox Cities.
Owner Travis Wright hasn’t pinned down an exact opening date but aims to open before Thanksgiving.
He gave a sneak peek inside the huge place, which he calls an “adventure park” rather than “trampoline park” as trampolines are a small part of what’s inside and he considers some of the attractions to be amusement rides.
The biggest attraction is a multilevel go-kart track with 26 electric cars, some of which fit two people, and an observation deck in the center.
“This track is the big draw,” he said. “It’s our crown jewel.”
Each of the 100 Urban Air franchises open in the U.S. are slightly different.
Signature attractions include the Sky Ryder Coaster, which is a zip line. Here, they put in two zip lines that fly above everything in the front of the park.
“This is the first dueling Sky Coaster ever built,” Wright said.
Urban Air has a play area for toddlers, kids’ zone, climbing walls and towers, virtual reality, a rope course and a warrior course.
Parents can hang out at the tech bar area or café that serves food, beer and wine. While kids are in school, Wright said the park will host corporate events.
Birthday parties will be key.
“One third of our business will be birthday parties. We have 14 birthday party rooms,” Wright said.
Urban Air is hiring 100 employees, mostly teens age 15 and up. The full-time staff of adult managers is headed by general manager Ted. C. Williams from Appleton. Info: facebook.com/urbanairappleton
Contact Maureen Wallenfang at 920-993-7116 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @wallenfang.
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