Energyplex
The Client
Energyplex is a family entertainment center located in Kelowna, British Columbia. Upon moving from the Netherlands to Kelowna in 2011, husband and wife Erik and Caro Brouwer became the owners of Energyplex merely two years after being employees at the venue themselves. In their hands ever since, they’ve poured their hearts into continuously improving and growing the business together – quite successfully.
Challenge
Similar to how thousands of businesses had to either temporarily close or shut their doors for good when the pandemic hit early 2020, Energyplex was also faced with decisions that had to be made. The Brouwers used this pause to their benefit and claimed the pandemic gave them a “new perspective” with “everything up in the air,” according to their words shared with Kelowna Capital News. They now had the opportunity to think about the improvements they wanted to make next and the time to put them into action.
Energyplex wanted to address how to deal with their increasing overhead expenses (insurance) and want to incorporate more amenities for adults and children alike to maximize customer satisfaction and profits.
Despite facing border closures, COVID restrictions, shipping difficulties, construction delays, and supply chain issues, the Energyplex team was determined to make their renovations happen.
Solution
Erik and Caro Brouwer decided to tackle their issues by focusing on making Energyplex more efficient, productive, and profitable with a large renovation that ended up taking a year to complete due to the difficulties listed above. While the trampoline park portion of Energyplex was a hit amongst children, the team discussed how to utilize the area to appeal to a larger audience pool, in addition to the rising insurance motive.
Their vision came to life in the form of an expanded arcade area, plus a bar and lounge. With this process underway, Energyplex chose to pursue this renovation by including Semnox’s Parafait venue management platform and RFID card system throughout the facility. Their expansion allows them to now offer attractions such as an enlarged Arcade with redemption, Xtreme activities like a 30ft Rock climbing wall, Skytrax, Laser Tag, along with full enhanced food service & bar for their parent-friendly “Lazy Lounge.”
Parafait offered Energyplex a singular management platform that integrated all of the family entertainment center’s operations, enabling smoother processes, speedier transactions and self-serve kiosks for guest convenience, and even online party booking & sales functions. Their platform was customized to meet their needs, which included the Parafait LUMIN tap-to-play debit card readers, Klassic self-service kiosk, and XTER RFID tap-to-access readers for attractions
New amenities allowed for more fun for all ages – kids and adults. Took over a year for full remodel due to supply chain shortages.
Outcome
After officially beginning the remodeling process in April of 2021, Energyplex was able to present the expanded arcade just in time for the spring break season in early 2022, meanwhile, the new bar and lounge opened for summer on June 5th. These new additions have increased the overall customer experience at Energyplex to benefit guests of all ages.
“We want to thank the Semnox team for all their hard work setting up, training, fine tuning and supporting the Energyplex with their amazing Parafait Solution” stated Erik Brouwer. “Semnox’s Parafait solution with play cards, kiosk, and the entire POS is well received by both guests and staff. Despite lower visitor numbers, the average spend has increased significantly and our revenues are close to pre-covid levels.”
Energyplex holds, on average, an impressive 30 children’s birthday parties each weekend.This renovation has not only led to rising profit margins, less overhead costs, and happier customers, but also has led to offering new job opportunities as well in the form of bartenders, servers, and more.
About Semnox
Semnox Solutions LLC provides technology and creative solutions for the entertainment and amusement industry. Semnox’s Parafait suite of products are operational at over 2000 sites spread across 50 plus countries. Learn all about Parafait and their customizable solutions here.
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