Family Funland means family fun times for Griffith

THE future of family entertainment has arrived in Griffith and it is … awesome!

As good as – if not better than – what you will find in any capital city or anywhere in the world, Family Funland is the next step in keeping young and old entertained.

Developed by the owners of Griffith City Cinema and Star Bowling 12, which are located right next door in the Kidman Way Home Town Centre, Family Funland is exactly as the name implies – a fun extravaganza for families of all ages.

Family Funland is what’s known in the trade as a family entertainment centre (FEC), which is a concept that's growing in Australia and around the world.

No longer are companies creating video arcades of gaming plazas; they are now looking to develop FECs to attract people of all ages and entertain them for longer.

The development of Family Funland as an attraction for Griffith and the need to find a major "anchor amusement" led GFEC Group director Dom Giorgi to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) expo in Orlando, Florida.

“I had heard Lincraft wanted to get out (of the Home Town Centre building) and I thought it was a good opportunity to do something,” Mr Giorgi said.

“There was a good opportunity right next door to the other two facilities (cinemas and 10-pin bowling).

“We were also starting to hear about FECs taking off and companies were putting them in shopping centres in the US. I went to Melbourne and Sydney and everyone was talking about IAAPA. So I thought I'd see what was there.”

This advertising feature is supported by the following businesses:

Family Funland took 18 months to come to fruition, from concept to opening.

Construction started in the middle of March, but with it being a busy time in the city, the finishing date was stretched out. However, this turned out to be a bonus as the design could be fine-tuned throughout the build process.

The IAAPA visit netted one of only two XD Dark Rides in Australia, the anchor attraction for the centre. Family Funland also created a two-storey laser tag centre and built an indoor bouldering (climbing) compound as other major attractions.

Add to that a huge range of arcade and ticket redemption games, a play area for under sevens and function rooms, and Family Funland has a little something for everyone.

“It is as good as anything you'll see in any city,” Mr Giorgi said.

“Now we've got all three (with bowling and the cinema) together. Nowhere I know of has all three in one location. It's a destination, a family destination.”

Family Funland in the Kidman Way Home Town Centre is open Sunday to Thursday from 9.15am to 9.30pm, and Friday and Saturday 9.15am to 10pm.