BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - EVER so often a bar opens or a party is organised to cater to the social needs of adults in the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. But what is there for children on these islands? There has never been a permanent exquisite hangout spot dedicated solely to the entertainment of children...until now!
Children are in for a spectacular treat with the recent establishment of Kids’ Zone, a place where bouncing castles, cotton candy machines, water slides, hamburgers, miniature basketball games, hot dogs, snow cones and popcorn machines are just some of the exciting features.
Located in the vicinity of the Frigate Bay Strip opposite the Timothy Beach Hotel, the spot, dedicated totally to children’s enjoyment, opened its doors on Saturday morning (Dec. 28) and since then the influx of parent-accompanied children has been “encouraging” to the proprietors.
SKNVibes popped up by the site of the Zone yesterday (Dec. 29) and found a visually-stimulating array of bouncing castles. And after having a close view of each one, it was discovered that four were actually water slides, two were obstacle courses and the remaining two were ordinary bouncing castles.
As if that were not appealing enough, the looks of glee and pleasure plastered across the faces of the children as they cascaded down the water slides and meander their way through the obstacle courses was greater impetus to get involved.
The proprietor of the business told SKNVibes that the idea was birthed after recognising the there were many hangout spots for adults but none that is dedicated solely to children.
“The reason why we are calling it Kids Zone is because we have places where everybody can go...places for grownups, there are bars etc. but we have nothing for the children. What I figured out is everyone is opening bars and hosting dances and so on and nobody is doing anything for the children. So the parents are forced to take some of the children to where they go. And in taking the children to where they go, and in taking their children to these places, the children have no choice but to hear adult talks and things that they should not hear...
“So I came up with the idea to get permission from the Frigate Bay Corporation and we got it. Parents can come and bring their children, sign them in and maybe go to the beach or go to the bar on The Strip without the children knowing that they are within proximity of where they are.”
An additional feature of the Zone is pedicabs - three-wheeled public conveyances with pedals - which the children can ride over a prescribed route across The Strip.
This publication observed that although designed for children, adults could not resist the temptation and appeared to have just as much fun as their offspring
A mere $5 is all each child has to pay to enter the fun Zone and parents have the option of buying specific packages that would allow them to leave their child for a specified period of time under supervision of the trained staff of the facility.
The proprietor promised that in a short period of time, the space that the Kids’ Zone occupies would be expanded and six other water slides and bouncing castles would be erected.
The children’s hot spot opens from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.
For more information on this new initiative, the public is advised to contact Aldrin ‘Bushy’ Phipps at 663-7718.
