Underwood’s Area 51 ice rink ready to roll in EKKA Week

Bored with the EKKA and looking for something to do with the kids? Here’s an alternative, ice skating at Australia’s largest indoor entertainment centre. WATCH A VIDEO SNEAK PEEK

A southside fun parlour, hailed as Australia’s largest indoor entertainment centre, is offering families an alternative to the EKKA with plans to open a synthetic ice skating rink this week.

Area 51, which spreads out across 10,000 sqm in a former Bunnings store at Underwood, installed the 16m x 8m rink, which is undergoing last-minute testing before opening.

The concept was the brainchild of Sunnybank entrepreneur and restaurant owner Jason Wang, who wanted to get his son off his virtual reality machines at home and outdoors for exercise.

The synthetic icerink is ready to roll.

Mr Wang said Covid-19 restrictions had held up millions of dollars of equipment for the skating rink at ports but he was happy it would be ready for EKKA week.

The rink is the latest addition to the multimillion-dollar venture and if it is a success, Mr Wang said he would expand its floor space.

A top-notch $1.2 million airconditioning system has been installed to keep the playground and skate rink cool all year round.

It is likely all testing on the rink will be completed by Wednesday, which is People’s Day and a public holiday in Brisbane for the EKKA.

In line with EKKA ticket prices of $36 for an adult, Area 51 costs, on average, $35 per person with ticket prices ranging from $15 depending on time.

Adults are free if they are supervising.

The high wire – ride a bicycle or step over everyone’s heads.

On the EKKA public holidays, managers are planning special shows treats for youngsters.

The entertainment centre has already broken all expectations in its first month of operating with more than 1700 people arriving on the first day on July 8.

“We will see how the ice rink goes and if there is demand for a larger space, we will definitely consider expanding,” Mr Wang said.

“We were caught unaware on our first day and were hugely surprised with the massive amount of people on day one.

“There is definitely a demand for this type of entertainment and we will be starting an adults-only session on a Friday night later this month.”

An adults-only session will start this month.

Mr Wang said he was not concerned about plans for a Chipmunks Playland and Cafe opening near the Hyperdome.

“They are 870 sqm and a completely different business. We are 10,000 sqm,” he said.

Along with the ice-skating rink, a ski slope and a state-of-the-art virtual reality room are envisaged but already the aircoaster, pickleball courts and bubble soccer nets have been a major hit.

Children are buckled into a seat on the aircoaster that rushes around the top level of the building like a chair-o-plane.

Some of the fun games at Area 51.

A daring rope adventure playground hangs high above the floor with children strapped in to leap through the air on planks and even ride a bicycle on the highwire.

Four Seasons Indoor Play Centre designed the entertainment precinct, called Area 51 after its street address and from the highly classified US Air Force base in Nevada.

Landlord Kassim Investments director Abdul Sacur said the massive 29,320 sqm site, vacant since 2018, would also be used as a gym and Asian night markets.

Fun for kids and adults of all ages.

Along with a multi-level soft playground, ninja course, climbing arena, high ropes, trampolines, sensory room, and the multi-sports courts there are 10 party rooms and a 300-seat cafe, complete with a kids’ menu, overlooking a toddler zone.

Along with the entertainment park, the venue will also offer learning classes, including cooking lessons, and has applied for an after-school licence to run homework programs.

Area 51 opens from 9am to 9pm, Monday to Sunday but will close early at 6pm on August 8.

Originally published as Underwood’s Area 51 ice rink ready to roll in EKKA Week