Largest Sky Zone Facility Emerges in Kennesaw, Ga

The 35^th and largest Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park officially opened in Kennesaw, Ga., and is equipped with the longest main court in the country, three dodge ball courts, a foam pit, and three basketball goals for dunking.

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park Opened Feb. 22

Sky Zone Started as New Sport, Evolves Into Franchise

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park Opened Feb. 22

Sky Zone Started as New Sport, Evolves Into Franchise
By: Lindsay Maynard 

Sky Zone trampoline parks have been popping up left and right since the first Sky Zone opened nine years ago. Currently, Sky Zone Kennesaw is the largest facility with 19,000 square feet of trampolines. These state-of-the-art trampolines are safe for all ages and have been proven to be a popular attraction.

Idea Started in 2012

Sky Zone Kennesaw is owned by four partners, Maria and David Van Vurst, Sue Spinos, and Ryan Lee. Maria and David Van Vurst first became interested in opening a Sky Zone franchise on New Year’s Eve of 2012.

“I lost my job in August and immediately began looking for new opportunities. My husband was tired of working in an office and was ready to try something new. He took my daughter to Sky Zone Atlanta, and that night began researching how to open a Sky Zone franchise,” Maria Van Vurst said.

The Van Vurst family knew they were interested in this franchise but had several concerns. First, they were initially concerned with how they could start a Sky Zone park and balance their business and family lives.

“Before we were considered for this location, we were encouraged to talk to other franchise owners, similar to us with families, to show us that it was possible to keep a strong family and franchise in order,” Maria Van Vurst said.

Once they were reassured that their family would not be compromised, the Van Vursts approached family friends Sue Spinos and Ryan Lee to see if they would be interested in becoming partners in this franchise. With the help of these partners, the $1.8 million facility evolved from a dream to a reality.

Picture taken from the Sky Zone Kennesaw website, showing the longest main
 court in the country, and one of the three dodgeball courts at this location.

Events and Programs Offered

Each Sky Zone franchise has the opportunity to provide various events and special offers for its guests. Sky Zone Kennesaw is fully equipped with party rooms for birthday parties and special group events, which bring about a significant amount of revenue for this facility. “Birthday parties are very popular at Sky Zone. Party packages range from $180 to $449 with each package consisting of different items. I have been working for Sky Zone Kennesaw since it opened in February and I have yet to host a party where the birthday boy or girl had a bad time,” Zack Wilcox said.

Sky Zone Event Host, Zack Wilcox working hard
prior to Sky Zone Kennesaw's opening in February.
This photo was taken by Lindsay Maynard.

In addition to birthday parties and special events, Sky Zone Kennesaw also offers Sky Robics, Sky Mania, Sky Jam, Toddler Time, and Dodge Ball Tournaments. Sky Robics is one of most popular programs offered by this facility where participants have the opportunity to burn more than 1,000 calories in one hour of jumping.

Sky Zone Kennesaw is equipped with the longest main court in the country, three dodge ball courts, a foam pit, and three basketball goals for dunking. It is the 35^th Sky Zone franchise nationwide and the largest in the series.

The Future of Sky Zone Kennesaw

Although Sky Zone Kennesaw is a new facility, Georgia residents have quickly caught on to this family friendly trampoline park located at 1650 Airport Road. Owners of this location have many plans for the future of Sky Zone Kennesaw including a large mezzanine that will overlook the trampolines and a possible new location in the near future.

“I am very pleased with where our location is at right now. Our staff has been excellent; specifically the Court Monitors who have done an exceptional job at making sure all guests follow safety rules to prevent injuries. Hopefully in the future we will open up another location in Utah,” Maria Van Vurst said.

Sky Zone Started as New Sport, Evolves Into Franchise

The Sky Zone Franchise began in 2004 when Rick Platt created the first Sky Zone location in Las Vegas. Platt’s initial intention was to create a new sport that combined the elements of football, basketball, hockey and volleyball while competing on trampolines that are linked together.

“Rick Platt thought it would be cool to own his own sport. Once the facility was created he realized that his sport wasn’t as popular as he thought it would be. He started charging local kids a couple of dollars to jump on the trampolines and from there, the Sky Zone franchise began,” Sky Zone Kennesaw owner, Maria Van Vurst said.

At first, banks were skeptical of the first Sky Zone project, so Rick Platt approached his son, Jeff Platt, to get his project off the ground. Once the banks caught on to this popular facility, the Platts began planning out how to franchise this attraction.

Today there are 35 Sky Zone facilities located across the country. Each location can cost anywhere from $750,00 to $2.8 million. The Sky Zone Franchise will continue to grow as eager entrepreneurs open up new locations.

“Sky Zone is a fun activity for all ages. This franchise will continue to grow in popularity over the next few years. At the time of the first Sky Zone opening in 2004, the Platt family had no idea what their project would create and did not expect their idea to explode like it has,” Maria Van Vurst said.

Rutgers coach fired after abusive video broadcast

By Michael Pearson and Brittany Brady, CNN

updated 10:22 AM EDT, Wed April 3, 2013

(CNN) -- Rutgers University fired head basketball coach Mike Rice on Wednesday after ESPN broadcast a video showing him physically and verbally abusing players.

"Based upon recently revealed information and a review of previously discovered issues, Rutgers has terminated the contract of Mike Rice," the school said in a tweet Wednesday.

"You f**king fairy... you're a f**king fa**got," Rice appears to say during one session depicted on the video.

The video, which ESPN said features excerpts of practice sessions shot between 2010 and 2012, earned Rice a three-game suspension and a $50,000 fine in November. Administrators at New Jersey's flagship university were under pressure from incensed state officials to dismiss the fiery coach, the network said.

The speaker of the state assembly, Rep. Sheila Oliver, D-Essex/Passaic, had called for Rutgers to fire Rice, ESPN reported.

Conduct like that captured on the video is "unacceptable not only at our state university, but in all circumstances. It is offensive and unbecoming of our state," the network quoted her as saying.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was "deeply disturbed" by the video, ESPN quoted spokesman Michael Drewniak as saying.

"It's not the type of leadership we should be showing our young people and clearly there are questions about this behavior that need to be answered by the leaders at Rutgers University," Drewniak said, according to ESPN.