Indoor Playgrounds in Germany

Facts and Future

PPA-FEC Day at EAS 2011, London

Dr. Achim LandvogtPresident VDH

Distribution ofIndoor Playgrounds

• appr. 310 - 340 Indoor Playgrounds (remaining from 550 ever opened ≈ 40 % closed)

• 110 VDH Members (blue mark)

• 2001: 25 • 2003: 110• 2005: 235• 2008: 320

•Last 12 month ≈ 1 new site per month

Organisation

• 80 % stand-alone sites

• 20 % Centers– Fitness Centers → Some– Soccer Centers → Few– Tennis Centers → Many

» (empty indoor tennis courts)

Operators

• 95 % Independent Operators (1 site)• 5 % Multisite „chains“ (max 2-3 sites)• No Franchise

Size

25

50

25

up to 1.500 m²

1.500 - 2.500 m²

over 2.500 m²

Visitors

• Estimated ≥ 15 Million Visitors/ Year• 2/3 Children, 1/3 Adults

• Small places: 40.000 – 50.000 Visitors/ Year• Medium places: 70.000 – 90.000 Visitors/ Year• Large places: up to 150.000 Visitors/

Year• 30 - 40 Visitors/m²/year in average

Buildings98 % secondary use 2 % new buildings

ConceptWe Bring Children to Move

• Self – powered ↔ Rides• Physical activity ↔ passive consumption• Real Play ↔ Virtual Play• Reach all senses ↔ one dimensional• Variety ↔ onesidedness

Attractions

• Softplay structure with slide (spiral, wave)

• Inflatables• Trampolines (6-8 fields)• Soccer court• Soft Mountain• Electrokarts (coinOp)• Climbing walls, Boulder• Toddler area

• High Rope course• Aqua Paddler boats• Big LEGO• Self-pedalled vehicles• Airhockey, Table Soccer• Rodeo Bull Riding• Bowling (short lane)• Dropslide• Free standing slide

Entry fees

• Depending on– Size– Attractiveness– Competition

• Children: Range 4,50 – 10 € ( average: 6,50 €)• Adults: 2,50 – 7,90 € (average 4,50 €)• Move to a different pricing on weekends

Differences to FEC

FEC• Inflatable based centers• Restaurant centered• Daycare• Coin operated Redemption• Play Cafe• Limited up to 12 years

Indoor Playgrounds, Germany• None• None• None• None• Very few• Often no limit

Challenges in the Future

• Increasing numbers of all-day schools• Still poor image• Lack of new proven (!) attractions on the

market• Lack of innovations (90 % similar equipment)• Finanzing (for new sites)• Realise higher entry fees ( increase value for

money)

Trends

• Operators become more professional• Larger sites• Higher investments → Higher risk • Long term approach → increased Quality• More sites will go bankrupt

Thank you for your attention

See you at the EAS in Berlin 2012

The VDH will organise an international FEC-Day during the EAS 2012