iPlay snaps up Kingston Park Raceway for undisclosed sum

One of southeast Queensland’s largest go-karting ventures has sold with new owners ready to expand the complex’s games centre

Terry and Sonya Skene at Kingston Park Raceway which they opened in 1997.

One of Logan’s most popular amusement parks has been sold, a year after a $3.6million deal went belly up.

Logan icon, the Kingston Park Raceway, has been sold to one of Australia’s largest amusement park owners, who took possession this week.

iPlay Australia bought the park from long-time Logan identity Terry Skene and his wife Sonya, who opened the complex in 1997.

Since then, the karting business has grown to be one of Australia’s biggest and most popular venues, attracting thousands of go-karting enthusiasts each year.

The sale follows a hiccup last year when a $6.3 million deal with a successful printing supplies company fell through because car loans for a BMW and Mercedes were not paid-out beforehand.

Kingston Park Raceway has been a popular entertainment centre with kids for 23 years.

Mr Skene said his decision to retire after 23 years in the driving seat came after seeing the business would be in the capable hands of managers at iPlay.

He will remain at Kingston Park for the next few months to assist during the transitional period but had no plans beyond that stage.

“Building and working the raceway has been a wonderful experience and we have been fortunate to be surrounded by such a dedicated group of great staff members who were as equally passionate about the business as ourselves,” Mr Skene said. 

“It’s been a remarkable journey for my wife Sonya and I and we are pleased that we are handing it over to a company that prides itself on top-class customer service and family fun.

“It’s nice to know that the future of Kingston Park is in the best of hands and we look forward to seeing some exciting developments in the future.”

Kingston Park Raceway is known for its Le Mans track.

The purchase will significantly strengthen the iPlay brand, which operates family entertainment centres in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.

It has nearby centres at Toowoomba, Ipswich, Redbank and Coomera which will benefit from cross promotions with Kingston Park in the coming months.

The centre features three tracks including the challenging 1100m Le Mans circuit.

Kingston Park operates a small family games centre and plans are already in place to expand that dramatically in the next few months. 

Once completed it will provide new employment opportunities and will add to the family attraction of the complex.

Following closely on the heels of the Kingston Park takeover will be the opening of a new iPlay at the Harbour Town outlets shopping centre.

Harbour Town is one of the Gold Coast’s best-known shopping destinations.

The opening of the new centre is scheduled for December 18.

It’s another exciting chapter for iPlay in its continued growth as one of the most innovative and fastest growing family entertainment providers in Australia.