The growth of trampoline attractions has seen exponential growth over the last five years and trade body the International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP) is helping drive take up, safety standards and improving the overall experience. Executive VP Bethany Evans, gives us the low-down as it looks forward to its first UK conference later this year….
In 2011 there were approximately 35 to 40 indoor trampoline parks in operation worldwide. Today the International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP) has been able to identify over 125 existing parks or those in the development stages of opening in the United Kingdom alone. The UK is home to the largest population of indoor trampoline parks outside of the US. So what is driving this growth? According to Peter Brown, IATP-UK Chairman and managing director of Freedome, indoor trampoline parks offer kids an opportunity to exercise while having fun at the same time. Parents are always looking for healthy activities for their kids and jumping on trampolines is fun for the whole family!
For those who have never been to a trampoline park, the average facility is about 25-40,000 sq. ft. and houses a variety of ‘courts’ that can be made up of one or any number of trampoline ‘beds’ that stretch from wall-to-wall and are connected to form one large surface that is enclosed with padded side walls or angled trampolines. The average cost to open a trampoline park is $1.4 to $1.8 million.
Guests are able to jump, flip, and literally bounce off the walls. There are also a variety of trampoline attractions that take physical activities to a whole new level. From trampoline dodgeball courts and slam dunk basketball courts to fitness classes, kid’s areas, areas where you can launch yourself from a trampoline into a giant pit of foam blocks or airbag; and for the jumper seeking more extreme experience – ninja courses and climbing walls.
One area that all parks share a common interest in is safety. The popularity and exponential growth of trampoline parks and the rise in the number of injuries sparked concern early on and the IATP-UK began meeting with stakeholders in 2015 to establish a special task group consisting of operators, members and RoSPA to develop a new standard for indoor trampoline parks. The BSI Standard is schedule to be available by the end of February 2017. It is the group’s intention to help all interested parties to better understand the design, construction and operation of a trampoline park, allowing the industry to go from strength to strength.
The IATP-UK will host its’ first conference and trade show outside of the United States on 22nd May and 23rd May, 2017 at the Hilton Paddington in London. The conference will highlight educational workshops, training based on the newly available BSI Standard and exhibitors showcasing their products and services specific to the indoor trampoline park industry.
The International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP) is a 501(c)(6) industry trade association whose purpose is to serve its membership by promoting optimally safe operations, facilitating commercial success and stimulating growth of the trampoline park industry. For more information about the association, visit www.indoortrampolineparks.org. Inquiries should be directed to Bethany Evans, Executive VP, at 001 717-910-4534 or email bethany@indoortrampolineparks.org