LIMA — A new business built for family entertainment and fun is set to put down roots in Lima.

There are only a little over 300 Sky Zone trampoline parks in the world, but the Sky Zone in the former Empowered Sports building at 1730 N. Union St. in Lima, will open Dec. 22, joining others in Fort Wayne, Toledo and Dayton to serve families in this region.

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“We take our children to Sky Zones in Toledo and Dayton because we both have four kids and there is nothing of that sort in the Lima community and some people cannot afford to go far,” co-owner Imed Jmiai said of what gave him and co-owner Dr. Mwafa Turjman the idea to start the location. “It made sense for us to go with Sky Zone here in Lima. But it’s not just for us, it’s for the community and the kids in the community.”

Jmiai, a professor at Ohio State-Lima, purchased Empowered Sports in June 2022, but could not afford to keep it running during the summer. Turjman, a urologist at Lima Memorial, though, came on board when presented with the idea.

“There is nothing in Lima that the kids can go to like this,” Jmiai said. “This is a Christmas gift for the whole community. I’m looking forward to everyone, especially the kids having fun, whether I am here or not. As long as everyone is happy, we’re happy.”

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Jmiai also said he was interested in reviving Northland Plaza, but it took a little help.

“The reason my office got involved was to provide some funding for building renovation,” Cindy Leis, business development director for Allen Economic Development said. “We provided our loan program and also guided them through using the Toldeo Port Authority for PACE financing and that is through the City of Lima special improvement district. We got involved to help close the gap in their financing the project.”

But the hard work is close to finally paying off with a fully functioning franchise for events featuring a zipline, a ninja warrior course, dodgeball, slam dunks and concessions, as well as a free trampoline area.

“They should be able to have fun in it,” Jmiai said. “As a parent, you like to see a kid happy.”

Leis said it was the least they could do to help a venture that could be so valuable.

“It is a capital investment project that can improve downtown and entertainment in the city and also creates jobs,” she said. “I think it provides excellent entertainment for our local youth and adults, but it also could attract people from outside of our region that travel for this type of entertainment.”

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As for what someone else could do to accomplish the same goals in their community, Jmiai had some advice.

“If you need to do something for your community, you should not think about the financial reasons,” he said. “You should think about how to make the community better first because if that happens and all of us are happy, it pays off that way.”

And when the park finally opens, Jmiai said that he might be happier than the kids.

“The joy will come from them,” he said. “If you see other people happy, you get happy.”

To follow along with updates on the park, visit the franchise’s website or follow the location’s social media page.

Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.

Source: https://t-tees.com
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