The Birth Of Inflatable Parks
Airparx is a market leader in the supply and installation of Family Entertainment Centre equipment and are the original creators of the world’s first inflatable park concept.
From humble origins in South England and Wales, Airparx have evolved to encompass manufacturing facilities in Romania, supported by a global workforce set to grow from over 300 to 500 employees in the coming year. Today, the Airparx team boasts unparalleled expertise in the Active Entertainment industry and possess a profound understanding of the fundamental activities that should anchor any project.
But where did it all begin?
InflateSpace Newcastle: A Giant of Inflatable Parks
Back in 2018, The Freeman Group, renowned for their exceptional leisure venues across the North East of England set their sights on a new challenge: to create the UK’s largest and most impressive inflatable park. Their ambition aligned perfectly with Airparx’s reputation for groundbreaking inflatable designs.
An Inflatable Park Partnership Born From Ambition
In 2018, a meeting between Airparx and The Freeman Group ignited a shared vision. Inspired by Airparx’s pioneering inflatable park in the Trafford Centre, the Freeman Group were determined to open the world’s second but largest inflatable park at the time. They aimed higher… it had to be the absolute best in the UK.
This ambition perfectly mirrored the Freeman Group’s track record of outperforming competition. Their new venue in Newcastle, a vast 100,000 square foot space, demanded a flagship attraction that would be a game-changer. A groundbreaking, high-quality inflatable park was the answer.
Designing the Inflatable Park
Designing the world’s largest inflatable park was an unprecedented challenge. The sheer scale of the project, spanning multi-levels separated by a mezzanine floor which became the first of its kind, required meticulous planning and flawless execution. With no room for on-site adjustments, every aspect of the design had to be perfected before production.
This was also the first inflatable park which included building pillars. To work around this, Airparx created innovative features by using clever design techniques. Wrap-around climbing walls were created to not only provide an awesome play factor, but also to create useful central spaces to place fans which helped with the airflow across the park.
Manufacturing the Inflatable Park
Manufacturing an inflatable park of this magnitude presented logistical hurdles. Moving and manipulating the enormous inflatable components demanded innovative solutions and meticulous quality control. However, the Airparx team rose to the occasion, overcoming these challenges to deliver the project on schedule.
Installing the Inflatable Park
The installation of InflateSpace, Newcastle was a complex operation. The project presented new challenges such as the building pillars and multi-levels separated by a mezzanine floor. The Airparx team completed a flawless installation within just three days. The park opened on time and within budget, marking a significant milestone in the inflatable park industry.
InflateSpace Newcastle attractions today include:
- Variety of inflatable slides
- Ninja walls
- Obstacle course
- Inflatable climbing wall
- Toddler zone with ball pools
- Giant Inflatable balls
Check out InflateSpace Newcastle HERE
CEO of Airquee and Airparx, Mark John comments:
“From our very first meeting, the shared ambition for this project was apparent. Our aligned vision was to revolutionise the industry and we knew we were onto something special.
Today, seeing how inflatable parks have transformed the industry and brought joy to countless communities worldwide, we are proud to have led this incredible journey.
Our pioneering efforts have not only shaped the industry into what it is today, but also set a new standard for innovation and fun. 6 years and 180 parks later, we continue to innovate and grow.”
The Global Leader in Inflatable Parks
To this day, Airparx still stands out as one of the few companies worldwide that handles every aspect of a typical project in-house. From design and manufacturing to installation, with extensive experience, this allows for tight control over project management to maximise returns.
In 2024, the world’s largest inflatable park situates in East Kilbride, Scotland.From inflatable adventure fun and freestyle trampolines, to dodgeball, mini football and wipeout – this site really has it all! Airparx continues to push the boundaries of possibility.
Check out Air Thrill East Kilbride HERE
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