Regina indoor playgrounds struggling with ambiguity on reopening plan

Saskatchewan is getting ready to start the third phase of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, but for some businesses, it’s not exactly clear how or when they’ll be able to open their doors.

Indoor playgrounds tend to have many children in close quarters, making it difficult to plan for social distancing and cleaning protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Klimerz Indoor Playland in Regina is one such business. Ryan Scheuer, the owner and founder, is worried he might have to shut down permanently.

“If I don’t get any support, and if the criteria doesn’t change for startup businesses … I’m totally worried about having to close this business, and essentially losing everything I’ve invested to bring this to this city. I can’t keep going with no money coming in. The numbers don’t match up,” he said.

He has struggled to apply for aid from the federal government. Klimerz initially opened in January, so he hasn’t been able to provide numbers from last year to prove a loss of revenue.

He has received a grant from the provincial government, but is still in a difficult situation.

“Everybody’s basically telling me the same thing: ‘You fall through the cracks because you’re a new business,’ ” he explained.

The ambiguity in when he might be able to start up is another source of stress. He guesses that the business might be able to open during the fifth phase of Re-Open Saskatchewan.

“We’re basically going to need the social distancing regulations lifted, just based on the close quarters of the play structure itself,” he said. “It’s not really feasible to have kids in, because how do you maintain that social distancing with kids crawling all over the place, bumping into each other?”

A customer started a GoFundMe page to generate some cashflow for Klimerz. As of Wednesday, it had generated almost $4,500.

Scheuer appreciates the community support, but doesn’t think it’s enough to keep his business afloat.

“I’m very grateful for what has come in and the donations. It’s pretty sad when the community has more support than the government,” he said.

Klimerz is only able to generate revenue through its indoor facility. However, another play area in Regina is capable of making some money during the pandemic.

Dino Bouncers (Sandy Holfeld/Submitted)

Dino Bouncers doubles as a play area and a bouncy castle rental agency. It has had to shut down, but is still allowed to rent out the play equipment. It also has started to sell concession items like cotton candy and popcorn online.

Sandy Holfeld, one of the owners of Dino Bouncers, said it’s nice to be able to keep up some business, but it’s not enough to keep going.

“There’s no way we would be able to sustain our indoor facility based on a few rentals inside,” she said.

Sales have also been down compared to the average year. Generally, the business would set up around 15 bouncers a weekend in June. During the pandemic, it has set up around two a week.

Holfeld shares many of Scheuer’s concerns on the ability to keep up with regulations when the business is allowed to reopen.

“I don’t know how we can possibly social distance. Only one child in a bouncer? That won’t work,” she said.

She has been able to get federal assistance, and has had rent payments deferred. As such, she’s still optimistic there could be a way for them to open up in the fall of 2020.