The wait is almost over for the opening of a much-anticipated new trampoline and indoor activity park in Chatham.
Tatro Group of Companies owner Don Tetrault who has partnered with Cody and Luke Schueler of Flying Squirrel Sports told CK Mornings with Chris, Allanah & Matt on 94.3 CKSY on Friday that the new Flying Squirrel location at 730 Richmond Street in Chatham is only a few weeks away from opening its doors for the first time.
The trampoline park was first announced in May 2023 and at that time, the goal was to open the facility in the fall of 2023. The project was delayed a couple of times, though, both because of expansion plans and delays in some equipment deliveries.
Tetrault told CK Mornings the project is into the "final stretch" now.
"Most of the components are coming in from overseas -- we have a couple more containers coming in and then we'll be putting everything together," said Tetrault. "We're hoping [to open] within two months and I'm hoping for earlier."
Tetrault said he has been visiting some other trampoline parks in the region and he is really impressed with how Chatham-Kent's facility compares to the ones he has seen.
"I have visited a few of these trampoline parks... also one that my partners here have in London and this one is far better, more to do in it, it's bigger, and the quality is much better," said Tetrault. "I think for Chatham-Kent, it's going to attract people from the whole community... and further on and it's going to help growth, businesses, and industry."
Tetrault said the Flying Squirrel location in Chatham will also include more than just trampolines -- it will house rock climbing, laser tag, and an arcade.
A little further east on Richmond Street, work continues at the former Navistar site in Chatham.
Tetrault, who is also part of the investor group that purchased old Navistar property, gave CK Mornings an update on the plans for developing that area on Friday as well.
He said the group is in the final stages of removing the old foundations, floors, and sewers that were in there. They have also built two new buildings on the site, they have the first part of a new road going through it, and they are working on a plan to subdivide the site up into pieces to attract some commercial and industrial businesses to Chatham-Kent.
Tetrault said the Flying Squirrel and the new developments at the former Navistar site go hand-in-hand by attracting new businesses and also new families to the area.
"When out-of-towners come to town, they ask, 'What do our families do here in town? What is there do do in Chatham?" said Tetrault. "We started thinking about that and I have some nephews and my son and I talked about what to do and started looking at some trampoline parks."
Tetrault said the hope is that having the new trampoline park will also attract some new businesses and investment to Chatham-Kent.