Popular indoor BMX pump track, Pumpt, shuts after not finding buyer
The owners of a popular BMX spot for both thrill-seeking children and adults have made the sad decision to shut up shop after not finding a buyer.
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The owners of a popular indoor bike pump track have closed the doors on their business with a heavy heart after being unable to find a buyer.
Pumpt Indoor – at Marion Rd, Marleston – had been a popular spot for children and BMX riders since it opened two-and-a-half years ago.
It was the first indoor pump track in Australia.
But owner Sarah Hutton and husband Gavin were seeking a move back to their former jobs running a pest control business.
They had listed the business for sale but no offers were forthcoming.
Mrs Hutton said it was a “hard call” to close but the end of their lease on the premises had forced them to reconsider their lifestyle.
“It’s quite a lifestyle business,” Mrs Hutton said.
“It’s obviously a family business so it takes its toll on your family and we just decided for our family it was important to move and go back to what we know.”
She said running the indoor pump track had been “fantastic” and the support of Adelaide cyclists and parents had been enormous.
She had hoped to “hand the baton over”.
“The facility for the kids of Adelaide, we thought, was important to have and lots of parents loved it versus a skate park,” she said.
“It’s a shame no one was able to do anything with it in that regard, but we felt we’d put in and done everything we could.
“Participation of kids in sport has decreased and with high rent, it’s been tough. Supporting local business is really important.”
On social media, fans of the centre expressed their sadness at its closure.
“Our little man loved it here,” wrote Gerard Flynn.
“Thanks for the opportunity to ride with my boy on the tracks and giving him pointers on how to scoot more confidently.”
Emma Knight commented: “My 5-year-old son burst in to tears hearing the news that Pumpt is permanently closed.”
“He has enjoyed many little tykes sessions and both of my kids have loved having or attending birthday parties at Pumpt. Thanks for creating such a great place.”
The owner of the Boneshaker cafe at Pumpt is disappointed at the site’s closure - but had recently opened a branch in Port Adelaide Plaza Shopping Centre. Another Boneshaker is set to open at Colonnades Shopping Centre in around seven weeks.
Chef Billy Petropoulos, whose “healthy fast food” is particularly loved by parents, said he was catering for 20-30 children’s parties every weekend.
“There are definitely a lot of children who have been saddened by this,” he said.
Mr Petropoulos is also looking for another site in the Marleston area -- possibly with a sporting dimension.
“If the opportunity arises, I will definitely try that,” Mr Petropoulos said.
He said a six month experiment in a soccer stadium was not successful because there weren’t enough people.
“It has to be big enough, like Pumpt was,” he said.
A sale of all of Pumpt Indoor’s equipment will be held this weekend.
Mrs Hutton can be contacted at sarah@pumpt.com.au for further details.