Robyn Spink has all kinds of plans for Jungle Mania, including bringing more of the jungle into the popular indoor play facility.

About six months ago, Spink and spouse Scott Casano took over the business at 2450C 10th Ave. NE (across from the Shaw Centre), known for its tall jungle gym and colourful animated animal mural on the building香蕉视频直播檚 exterior facing Highway 1.

Spink explained her family has always been involved in businesses and she wanted to get back into the workforce. However, they also had a five-year-old, Cassian (Scott香蕉视频直播檚 a Star Wars fan), who would need care.

香蕉视频直播淲e thought it would be a good opportunity to have him at work with me so we didn香蕉视频直播檛 have to do the day care香蕉视频直播�,香蕉视频直播� said Robyn. 香蕉视频直播淚t was a way for me to get my creativity out. I had all these ideas we could bring to this business.香蕉视频直播�

One of those ideas was to designate a time for older youth, when they could come in and have a safe space to play and have fun.

香蕉视频直播淲e noticed a bunch of them would come after school from the middle school and play in the jungle and a few people were like, you know, we香蕉视频直播檝e got littles in here and we香蕉视频直播檙e concerned香蕉视频直播�,香蕉视频直播� said Spink, who decided to designate time during the week just for toddlers, and introduce youth nights for kids ages 10-13.

香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檙e in that awkward age where they want to be adults, but they香蕉视频直播檙e still kids,香蕉视频直播� said Spink. 香蕉视频直播淭hey just come here and they香蕉视频直播檝e got their music going and the lights are low and they get to play in the jungle gym.香蕉视频直播�

Youth nights include table top games, laser tag, snacks, some video gaming and sometimes karaoke.

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香蕉视频直播淲e have a local guy that will come in and do a karaoke night,香蕉视频直播� said Spink. 香蕉视频直播淭he kids have the confidence, they香蕉视频直播檒l get up and sing karaoke, it香蕉视频直播檚 been very successful. I got them going 香蕉视频直播� I said whoever goes up first gets a free shirt. Sure enough, everybody wanted to be first and it just continued after that. The boys were singing Miley Cyrus and it was amazing.香蕉视频直播�

Youth aren香蕉视频直播檛 just Jungle Mania customers, they also play an important role in the business香蕉视频直播� operations. Once a month, Spink hosts a youth focus group. Part of their job is to choose the foods, drinks and activities Jungle Mania offers, testing items to make sure they香蕉视频直播檙e suitable.

香蕉视频直播淚 have seven kids right now and we can take more,香蕉视频直播� said Spink of the group. 香蕉视频直播淚 think their opinions are really important. Because, of course, the flavours I pick are always different from what they pick. And they give me ideas about youth night.香蕉视频直播�

Spink has introduced other special activities at Jungle Mania and has plans for more, including a book club for moms and something for kids with autism.

香蕉视频直播淥ur youngest is autistic, so we香蕉视频直播檙e doing sensory sensitive nights, so it will be once a month where it香蕉视频直播檚 set up just for sensory sensitive kids. I香蕉视频直播檇 like to get involved with any groups that want to help with that,香蕉视频直播� said Spink.

A big focus for Spink in the coming weeks will be Jungle Mania香蕉视频直播檚 interior, which will be undergoing a redesign. The goal is to make it look and feel like an actual jungle.

香蕉视频直播淲hen you walk into the place, you completely feel like you香蕉视频直播檙e walking into a jungle,香蕉视频直播� said Spink, excited about what香蕉视频直播檚 in store. 香蕉视频直播淵ou feel like you香蕉视频直播檙e transported 香蕉视频直播� eventually with lighting and a sound system to go with it.香蕉视频直播�

Spink assured Jungle Mania香蕉视频直播檚 outside animal mural will remain, though it may see some additions.

香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 want to lose the integrity of the old look 香蕉视频直播� I think that香蕉视频直播檚 really important香蕉视频直播� There may be a few more characters introduced and that香蕉视频直播檚 all I can say about that,香蕉视频直播� said Spink.

While it will look more like a jungle, fun remains a priority for Spink.

香蕉视频直播淚 always said I want to walk in and feel like I香蕉视频直播檓 going to a carnival,香蕉视频直播� said Spink. 香蕉视频直播淚 wanted that full experience, when you bring your kids. We香蕉视频直播檙e not about 香蕉视频直播榦h, let香蕉视频直播檚 have the most nutritious snack.香蕉视频直播� It香蕉视频直播檚 香蕉视频直播楲et香蕉视频直播檚 have fun today!香蕉视频直播� That香蕉视频直播檚 the feel I wanted.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淚t has been amazing. It香蕉视频直播檚 been absolutely amazing. I am very grateful for the opportunity and I want everybody to feel special when they come in here.香蕉视频直播�

More information about Jungle Mania and upcoming activities can be found on the business香蕉视频直播� Facebook page and at junglemania.ca.

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