Toowoomba Tabatinga: City Golf Club prepares to open new children’s play centre

Parents wanting a place to take their children on weekends and rainy days are in for a boost, with a popular venue preparing to open a new play and activity centre.

Lisa Shaw (left) and Kayla Ferguson are excited for the opening of Tabatinga at City Golf Club, Thursday, January 12, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Toowoomba’s newest kids play and activity centre will feature go-karting, jungle gyms, disco room and parent’s cafe when it opens next month.

The City Golf Club is well advanced in transforming its old functions and events space into Tabatinga Toowoomba, the latest location for the fast-growing collection of “fun and social centres” across Australia under the same name and branding.

Once completed, the new space will feature play areas for kids of all ages, rooms to host birthday parties, a mini sports arena and even a go-kart track for children and parents.

Kids can either go for a “stay and play” or be booked in for a “drop and dine”, which allows parents to enjoy a night to themselves.

Club president Ed Britnell said the new venture would offer another play centre option in Toowoomba, which has been currently dominated by Chipmunks.

Tabatinga Toowoomba, a children's play and activity centre, will open inside the City Golf Club in February 2023. Photos from existing centre in Tweed Heads.

“There was only one play area in Toowoomba, so that was a significant reason behind the move – there was a clear void, and we’re conscious of our role in the community,” he said.

Mr Britnell said the decision to scale back the golf club’s function centre space had been coming for several years.

“Covid hit and when we reopened our function rooms our attendance was low, our weddings were minimal, so there was a clear demise,” he said.

“We did our homework, had appointments with various people for two years, we went to Seagulls, we went through the Tabatinga model and this is something that the board agreed on.

“We had excellent feedback (from members) so we decided to go with it.”

CGC marketing manager Sarah Dowling said the centre would be owned and operated by the club, offering families a “fun and education place” for kids.

“Work is under way, we’re currently inside there now – the walls are being sheeted, and we are hoping to open in late February or early March,” she said.

“We’re doing a drop and dine service so parents can book the kids in, the parents can go and have a date night and eat.”

Tabatinga Toowoomba, a children's play and activity centre, will open inside the City Golf Club in February 2023. Photos from existing centre in Tweed Heads.

The club is currently hiring for positions at Tabatinga.

According to the website, Tabatinga has marketed heavily to sports and social clubs as a way to improve family-friendly options, gain revenue during school holidays and add more foot traffic to venues.

Clubs are told it could cost between $400,000 - $900,000 to fit out with Tabatinga, with the business providing marketing and branding support while venues handle operations and staffing.

Tabatinga Toowoomba, a children's play and activity centre, will open inside the City Golf Club in February 2023. Photos from existing centre in Tweed Heads.