From kids' birthday parties to corporate teambuilding events, Shakers Fun Centre in southeast Calgary has been an entertaining family-run business since it opened its doors in August 2006.
And owners Christine Buhr, her sister Adrienne Buhr, Adrienne's husband, Darren McKinnon, and the Buhrs' mother, Margaret Jones, are entertaining thoughts of expanding from their one location.
"Definitely looking at expansion in Calgary in the next couple of years," says Christine Buhr.
"We're on seven acres right now. Indoors we have about 14,000 square feet which has laser tag, a rock wall, an indoor playground. We've got a full concession kitchen. We have areas to do birthday parties."
Inside, there is a huge arcade with video and redemption games where you win tickets and can redeem them on the prize wall for prizes.
"We also have a 6,000-square-foot event tent attached to our building where we just put people to feed them. Big Christmas events or barbecues," Buhr adds.
Outside are two go-kart tracks, an 18-hole minigolf course, and a splashy water attraction called Water Wars.
"We still have some more space to expand outside," she says.
Shakers has six full-time employees, but depending on the season, it can reach up to 65 seasonal staffers.
The centre also sees probably about half a million people through its doors every year.
"We were looking for a business opportunity and we came across these family entertainment centres. There's tons of them through the U.S. They're very popular down there," Buhr says. "And we were there and we thought, 'wow what a great concept. Why don't we take that back to Calgary? There's not a lot of things for families and young kids for people to do in Calgary for entertainment. So let's create something like that here.'
"When we first opened, there was this phase where we were really popular and people wanted to come out and see us because we were the new kids on the block.
"Then, what happened with the recession hitting, it really took a hit to our business for sure. We didn't see as much corporate. So I think things slid then, but over the past year, we're starting to see an increase again in our business."
She also says there is a trend in society of people staying home more now for vacations and people looking for more things to do with their families.
Shakers Fun Centre
? Family entertainment and games centre
? Owners: Christine Buhr, Adrienne Buhr, Darren McKinnon, Margaret Jones
? Established: 2006
? Employees: six full-time, up to 65 seasonal part-time depending on the season
? Location: 9900 Venture Ave. S.E.
? Phone: 403-236-2213
? Website: shakerscalgary. com
MTONEGUZZI@ CALGARYHERALD.COM
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