Flying Squirrel takes off in St. James

A new trampoline park in St. James will have you bouncing off the walls.

Flying Squirrel, located at 1250 St. James St. by Polo Park and Costco, officially opened in December and has seen steady business since.

The corporately owned business has five locations in Canada, one in the U.S. and one in Guatemala. General manager Clare O’Sullivan says Flying Squirrel is setting up shop in bigger cities based on population and other demographic info.

"With Winnipeg being a very frigid city in the winter, it’s nice to have the option to do something inside during the winter," O’Sullivan said. "Even us growing up, indoor activities is like going to the movies, going bowling, there’s not a lot of things to do, so this is a nice alternative, where not only is it active and gets kids and people away from their… screens, it’s a fun thing to do, there’s music playing, it’s a fun atmosphere."

Flying Squirrel is touted as the world’s largest indoor trampoline park, but O’Sullivan promises that there is more to it than just trampolines, of which the St. James location has 31.

"We put quite a bit into this park in terms of different attractions," she said. "There’s dodgeball courts and dunk hoops on trampolines… we have an Olympic trampoline in the back. We also have a rock climbing wall, we have a gladiator battle beam, we have a slack line and then we have our air bag at the front. That’s a big crash bag they use in movies when they’re doing stunts."

O’Sullivan says that since opening, they’ve had a lot of parents and adults come in asking if the park is just for kids.

"It’s for everyone," O’Sullivan said. "We get a good mix of people coming in the door."

She says that in February they’re planning to have a party at the beginning of reading week for university students with live entertainment by DJ Blitz. In April, they’re also hoping to partner up with Torque Brewing for a brew and bounce event.

In the meantime the park has regular weekly events, including toddler time during the week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a discount for young visitors, Neon Lights—a black light dance party for teens and youth—on Friday and Saturday nights, and a special needs day on Tuesdays, which sees the park turn down the music and "chill out."

"Those are the most fun days," O’Sullivan said.

The park hosts birthday parties and groups, which can be booked online. Other visitors can buy tickets online or walk in for an hour or two of jump time.

Visit flyingsquirrelsports.ca for more info.

Read more by Alana Trachenko.