MONTHS of waiting are over for excited children – and adults – as Colchester’s first trampoline park has opened.
Jump Street, in the Cowdray Centre, off Cowdray Avenue, officially opened on Saturday after a VIP launch last week.
The centre has 125 interconnecting trampolines, as well as dodgeball courts and basketball hoops, and a foam pit.
Great Britain’s number one trampolinist Kat Driscoll was at the launch, and had a go on the new equipment.
She said: “It’s the perfect opportunity for people to have their first experience of trampolining.
“We’re such a small sport and not many people know much about us.
“This will be most people’s first introduction to it.
“It can be quite structured in clubs, which it needs to be, but it can be quite daunting.”
Kat hopes people in Colchester will make full use of the new facility for exercise as well as fun.
She said: “It is a fantastic way to get a whole body workout.
“Ten minutes of trampolining is the equivalent of 25 minutes jogging.
“There are so many things in here you can do.”
Team GB junior trampoline gymnast Joshua Newman was also at the launch.
The centre has created 30 jobs, and is still looking to fill some of the roles.
Gavin Levene, director, said: “We’re really excited to be open to the public.
“The launch went really well and Team GB gymnasts Kat Driscoll and Joshua Newman put the park through its paces.
“Everyone had a lot of fun and it was reassuring to see trampoline professionals and novices side by side, all having so much fun.”
His colleague director Neil Lewis said: “It’s taken a lot of hard work to get here, but we couldn’t be more proud of team and the venue itself. The doors are now open to the public and we’re keen to see lots of people of all ages enjoying this remarkable facility.
“A huge thank you to everyone that has helped us to get to this point.”
Colchester’s mayor Theresa Higgins, who used to be a trampolinist and a qualified coach at the Maidstone YMCA in her twenties, also had a go.
She said: “They are extremely bouncy, much bouncier than they used to be.
“It was good fun.
“It is a good facility for all ages, and it’s not too far from the town centre.”
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