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New indoor playground caters to parents too

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Fun time: Eight-year-olds Amelie Wood (left) and Gretchen Super test out the equipment at The Playtrium, an indoor playground for kids that's opening soon. Gretchen's mom, Heather Super, is behind the business (Photo by Akil Simmons)

A smoothie bar, sports TV and lots of space for kids to play.

The Playtrium is a win-win for all members of the family, owner Heather Super believes.

The 1,200-square foot indoor playground is expected to open in early September.

Crawl tubes, a trampoline, a tube slide and specially designed obstacle courses are among the many activities now being installed in the old Phase One building on South Shore, Smith’s.

A separate area for babies and toddlers will have “lots of soft flooring so they can roll around”.

“The whole idea is so parents can relax and enjoy themselves while their children are active and away from the computer/video games,” Mrs Super said.

The 39-year-old got the idea from play areas she’d seen while living in the US. She got SPI Global Play, a UK company that’s created custom playgrounds all over Europe and Australia, to build one that was Bermuda-friendly.

The entrepreneur then turned to Patti Crouch of By Design Ltd, to come up with an interior that was suitable for kids and also appealing to adults.

The interior designer included ceiling panels patterned with blue sky and trees to mimic the outside. There’s special seating and television for grown ups, and a smoothie bar, operated by Down to Earth.

“The idea was to create an outdoor feeling,” Ms Crouch said. “We were given a very clear directive and so we knew to make it not just a playground. We decided to pull colours and create an adult side where parents could sit and watch their kids play just as if they were sitting in a garden. I think it worked. Your kids will love it and in a funny way it’s just as much for adults.”

Mrs Super will host birthday parties on Saturdays and keep the business open for walk-in customers on Sundays from 8.30am until 6pm.

“It’s not just a venue but a complete service,” she said. “There will be staff on hand for parties and we’ll take care of everything. We organise the birthday cake, the clean-up after and at end of the party we’ll have a little wagon that we can load up with gifts and take to the car. We do party bags as well. We’re trying to make it effortless for the parents.”

Party Plus will deliver supplies to make set up easier.

“People have reached out to book birthday parties and we will do our best to accommodate them,” Mrs Super said. “I’m sorry this venture is taking so long to get started but it’s important to me that we get it right the first time around. It’ll be worth the wait. We’re hoping people feel like they’re at home — with a really fabulous playground that has air conditioning.”

Admission is $30 per child and $5 for each additional child. Visit theplaytriumbda.com or e-mail fun@theplaytriumbda.com.

Fun time: Eight-year-olds Amelie Wood (right) and Gretchen Super test out the equipment at The Playtrium, an indoor playground for kids that's opening soon. Gretchen's mom, Heather Super, is behind the business.(Photo by Akil Simmons)
The Playtrium: An indoor playground for kids is expected to open in September in the old Phase One building on South Shore, Smith's. (Photo by Akil Simmons)
SPI Global Play, a UK company that’s created custom playgrounds all over Europe and Australia, has designed one for Bermuda. It's to open on South Shore Road, Smith's, in September. (Photo by Akil Simmons)
The interior of the old Phase One building on South Shore, Smith's has been redesigned to accommodate a playroom for children, toddlers and babies. (Photo by Akil Simmons)