Forget flying at Bankstown Airport: Try go-karts, bowling or a hair cut
Airports are the last place you would bring your family and friends for a fun day but a new multimillion-dollar entertainment precinct at Bankstown Airport will change your mind.
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You don’t normally associate airports with a fun day out for the family but that’s exactly what will be on offer when a state-of-the-art indoor entertainment precinct featuring go karting, tenpin bowling and virtual reality games opens at Bankstown Airport.
When it officially opens in October, the complex will be the biggest entertainment centre of its kind not only in Canterbury Bankstown but in Sydney, according to owner John Papantoniou.
The centre, being constructed in an 7500 sqm warehouse earlier used by Boeing, will feature about 40 modern electric go-karts, a bowling alley, a special corporate centre, car racing simulators, restaurant and even a barber shop.
There is presently room for about 80 carparking spaces.
Construction of the yet-to-be-named complex is racing ahead with Mr Papantoniou hoping to have a soft opening for the school holidays at the end of September.
“We hope to officially open it in October, if all goes well,” Mr Papantoniou told The Express.
“The idea for the park came to me around two-and-a-half years ago because I realised we had nothing like this in the inner west or southwest Sydney, unlike in the eastern suburbs where you have a few.
“I wanted somewhere where I could take my son karting.
“I went to California to look at some of the entertainment and karting facilities and decided we should have one here too.
“The karts we will have are top of the range, quiet and don’t have the fumes which can make you nauseous.
“I had been looking around different areas but when a friend suggested this old Boeing warehouse, I liked it at once.
“I think the demographics of the area are good.”
Father of two Mr Papantoniou, who lives in Bardwell Park, said he thought of the unusual idea of having barber shop, because he knows first hand that taking a hair cut on a Saturday usually means the children will be bored till the dad gets back.
“It takes around one to two hours to get your hair cut at a salon so I thought this way, while the dad has his hair groomed, his children can get to play,” Mr Papantoniou said.
The centre will employ about 25 locals and will be open throughout the week from 10am to 10pm.
Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce CEO Wally Mehanna said the entertainment complex is something the city needs.
“This is the biggest of its kind and there is nothing like this in the area,” Mr Mehanna said.
“It is something we should be all proud of because families can enjoy the facilities while there is also a function centre.
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“It’s also thanks to Bankstown Airport CEO Lee de Winton, who has transformed the space and added value to the airport since she took over.”
“The entertainment park brings local employment, families and corporate functions and more importantly is helping to create an invitation for others to visit our local community.”
The airport is already home to manufacturing and retail businesses, such as Bunnings, Aldi and McDonald’s, while work has started on a $35 million Polair headquarters.
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