Rebounderz jumps into Rohnert Park facility

What does the new Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Park expect to bring to Rohnert Park?

Along with a multitude of jobs, owner Jason Alexandridis hopes to create a unique family fun center that incorporates exercise and entertainment with what could be the nation’s largest enclosed trampoline arena.

Set to open May 2, Rebounderz will be the first of this franchise in California and will feature enough trampolines to allow as many as 110 kids to safely bounce and play.

The facility, which occupies the space that formerly held University Sports, is taking full advantage of the former gym with a foam pit jumper, a basketball court, trampoline dodgeball, arcade, café area, themed birthday rooms and a toddler play area in addition to the open jump area.

For new business owner Jason Alexandridis, Rebounderz offers a chance to work for himself doing something that involves kids, fitness and family, three things that are very important to him and his wife, Maggie. They live in Novato and have two children, a 4-year-old son and an 11-month-old daughter.

“I have been in the tech industry for 20 years, and it was just the right time to break off and do my own thing,” said Alexandridis, 40. “I knew I could operate a business, but I didn’t want to build something new. From my own needs as a parent, I can see how great a place like Rebounderz could be.”

Alexandridis sold some of his investments and took the plunge, purchasing a franchise with rights to build two additional locations in California.

“For the first one, we wanted something close to where we live, and Rohnert Park offered a great opportunity geographically. There are no other trampoline parks in Sonoma or Napa counties,” he said.

The idea of incorporating things like a toddler park, a jumper area for kids 6 and younger, and even a lounge for parents that sells prepackaged food items from local vendors appealed to him.

“I am also really excited to bring jobs to Rohnert Park,” Alexandridis added, noting that they hired about 50 part-time employees to open the facility, along with a full-time general manager and event coordinator.

The Rebounderz franchise was begun by two fathers, Mark Gurley and Al Palladino, who wanted to create a venue that provided athletic experiences for teens. They opened their first trampoline arena in 2008 in Sterling, Va.

What sets the Rohnert Park facility apart is the size of the jump area, which features 74 8-square-foot trampoline beds, which should set the record for the country’s largest enclosed trampoline arena. People from the Guinness Book of World Records will take a look after the opening to validate that claim, Alexandridis said.

He also has a vision for this location as something more than just a party site, with plans to host corporate events, drop-in play time and even dodge ball and basketball leagues.

“We are looking at an adult dodge ball league and so much more to really create a family fun center that is a great, safe, cool environment,” he added.

The grand opening will start with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. May 2, followed by a slam dunk competition, dodge ball demonstration, Froggy 92.9 radio, mascot Major Rick O’Shay and perhaps a mini-dodge ball tournament.

Rebounderz of Rohnert Park is located at 555 Rohnert Park Expressway W., 416-4445, rebounderzrohnertpark.com.

Contact Rohnert Park Towns Correspondent Nick Walden at RPTowns@gmail.com.