Struggling city business says ‘let us play’

FRUSTRATED: Treehouse Adventure Centre co-owner David Walker has requested the Limestone Coast's region's politicians to lobby for answers as to why he can't reopen his business after it was forced to close due to State Government COVID-19 restrictions. Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR

By Molly Taylor

TREEHOUSE Adventure Centre owners Stewart Owen and David Walker are frustrated, confused and losing tens of thousands of dollars due to State Government-imposed COVID-19 business restriction, with the indoor playground sitting dormant for the second time this year.

The Mount Gambier children’s entertainment complex was forced to close in March for three months just days after launching the revamped Penola Road site, which has now remained closed since the latest restrictions came into effect on November 16.

Mr Walker estimates around $30,000 to $40,000 of income had been lost in the last fortnight, expecting that figure to climb as the peak summer holiday period starts.

While the business had hoped to open as restrictions eased on Tuesday, Mr Walker said those hopes were dashed Monday night when the COVID-19 management plan arrived, outlining their facility was unable to operate.

While the cafe portion of the business can continue under health guidelines, the play equipment remains off-limits, which Mr Walker labelled as an insult.

“It is pretty devastating to be honest, especially so close to Christmas,” Mr Walker said.

“We were under the impression we would be recommencing trading from Tuesday to find out at 9pm the night before, we were not allowed to resume.

“You look at how many cases are coming in – we are being penalised for that. I don’t see how they (State Government ) can justify it.”

Also operating Kaboom Family Entertainment bowling alley, Mr Walker said the duo had invested a significant amount of money into the region’s entertainment sector and were committed to serving the community.

“As much as I don’t like to be selfish, we are well away from Adelaide and not anywhere near the Parafield Cluster and I think the government really needs to step it up and answer as to why our industry is being singled out,” Mr Walker said.

“It is no different to coming to a facility like this than attending school. Kids have contact in school, they sit on top of one another and no one has control over what they do.

“We clean our facility, we’ve followed the guidelines set this year through SA Health and we still not able to trade.

“If anyone else tells me to ring the COVID-19 hotline, I think I am just going to pull my hair out because they do not know what’s going on.”

With ambitious plans to expand put on hold, Mr Walker thanked the community for their support and hoped things would return to normal as soon as possible.

Kaboom Family Entertainment bowling alley has resumed trading at a 50pc capacity due to being classified as a sporting facility.