Kids fun house closing
Posted Jan 13, 2011 04:51:18 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A dispute with a landlord is prompting a popular spot for kids in Waterloo to close its doors.
The Kidzone Family Fun Centre on Northfield Drive will close in March after nearly six years in business.
Owner Nelson Costa says an already strained relationship with his landlord grew more tenuous when approval was granted for a new car dealership on the same parcel of land.
“People can’t find us,” Costa states bluntly in an interview with 570 News. “Our sign was destroyed, our entryway is atrocious, our parking is bad. Ever since the construction (began on the auto dealership), we’ve lost over 30% of our business on a daily basis.”
Costa says his relationship with his landlord soured when the original lease holder died, leaving the property to his son. Since then, Costa says nothing has been done to upgrade the property. He has considered legal action but is unsure that’s a route he wants to take.
Instead, Costa has decided to close his doors.
“If Kidzone is not here for March Break, then the other facilities are going to be bombarded with kids and I’m afraid someone is going to get hurt,” Costa says. “So we’re going to keep it going until March Break to satisfy the need because it’s a big, big week for us.”
Costa has been breaking the news to regular customers and says “their jaws have dropped” after hearing about the problems. Many have offered their support and, in return, Costa is inviting them to Kidzone this afternoon, free of charge, so they can get more information.
“Voice your opinion, tell people that you want an investigation,” Costa encourages. “I want the public to get behind us and say ‘they were treated unfairly, they were treated poorly and they don’t deserve this because they’ve done such a good thing for the community.’ “
Costa has made no plans for work after Kidzone closes.
