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Aug 28, 2023

Rock the rim. Two Houston County couples to open a trampoline park in Warner Robins

A Sky Zone trampoline park is coming to the Warner Robins area, thanks to two

A Sky Zone trampoline park is coming to the Warner Robins area, thanks to two Houston County couples.

With more than 60 potential attractions to choose from, these large indoor play areas for children and the young of heart are built to suit.

"One of things that actually makes Sky Zone unique is how many different attractions they offer," said David Milby, one of the four franchise owners. "They have some of the basic attractions that are going to be the same.

"But they actually have just over 60 different ones. What they do is they work with you and your engineering team and the building you eventually end up with to maximize the attractions that go in there … Essentially what they’re trying to do is make each one different and unique."

David and his wife, Sandra, and his brother and sister-in-law, William and Crystal Milby, have purchased the franchise rights for Sky Zone in Houston County.

They’re currently looking for the right building, and that selection will heavily impact just what attractions will be offered at their Sky Zone. But David Milby said they have identified several that they expect to incorporate.

In addition to being able to jump and bounce off the walls of a free-style trampoline area that Sky Zones are known for, the Milbys expect to offer:

The Air Court — This springy, air-filled multi-court allows for tricks and stunts that you won't find on regular basketball, volleyball or soccer fields, according to the Sky Zone website.

The Sky Slam - Hoops of different heights accommodate jumpers of all sizes, so everyone can "rock the rim."

The Drop Slide — Fly down a slide on a mat and into the air before dropping onto a big air bag below.

The Drop Zone — Jump from heights, try new tricks and pose mid-air for a photo and land on a big air bag below.

King of the Hill — Take this popular childhood game to the next level.

The Ultimate Dodge Ball — Another well-known childhood game also advances to the next level with leaps and twists in the air to either dodge or throw the ball.

The Ninja Warrior — Test your skills on this obstacle course.

The Warped Wall - With platforms of different heights, this attraction challenges skills to climb an incline.

The Milbys are known in Middle Georgia for another successful franchise business with multiple locations.

David and William and their father, Bill, own Visiting Angels of Central Georgia, which provides non-medical, comprehensive home care for older adults.

Crystal and Sandra also work at Visiting Angels of Central Georgia, which has been in business for 15 years. Also, Crystal is the chief financial officer for Gottwals Books.

"We’re passionate about family, and what we do with Visiting Angels, sometimes it's definitely the stuff that's harder to go through with families," Sandra Milby said. "People are stressed and are having a hard time and we’re walking through that with people.

"And something like Sky Zone is a stress reliever, right? It's fun. It's light, right? It's not heavy … It builds family time. It's healthy and it's just so good for you. So we wanted to bring that … We knew it would be a great fit for everyone to stay active and healthy and have fun and have family together."

The Milbys are looking for a building in Warner Robins or nearby.

A great spot for a Sky Zone, Sandra Milby said, would be a big box building with tall ceilings and without columns too close together similar to an Office Depot or a Best Buy building. Former gyms also make great spots for Sky Zones.

"You can be as creative as you want to get," she said. "They’ve been able to put them in all sorts of places.

"So, there's not just one type of building, size, shape that they are looking for. But definitely something that would be large enough for a trampoline park. We’re just kind of open right now."

The Milbys also will be looking for a general manager to run the show.

"Of course, we’ll be totally involved with the staff there and making sure everything is running smoothly," she said. "But the general manager will be calling the shots on a day to day basis."

Their Sky Zone is expected to be similar to one that opened earlier this year in Biloxi, Mississippi, but without all the same attractions, David Milby said.

The Warner Robins area location will also have the latest colors and design for the newest version of Sky Zones, he said.

The venue will offer special event packages such as birthday parties as well as memberships and membership-only events.

"There's a lot of awesome corporations that are looking for team building exercises," Sandra Milby said. "We would love to host special youth group nights.

"There's going to be the glow lights. That's going to be a lot of fun and actually Sky Zone has a special Sky Zone DJ that they have virtually from New York City that's family friendly."

The trampoline park also is expected to offer snack food such as pizza, fountain drinks and popcorn.

Sky Zone locations require jumpers to wear their patented "SkySocks" with their trademark grip on the bottom. The socks can be taken home, washed and reused as long as they remain in good condition. Also, a signed waiver is required to use the facilities.

The Warner Robins area Sky Zone will be the second Sky Zone location in Middle Georgia. Macon has a Sky Zone at 245 Tom Hill Sr. Blvd., Suite 100-B, which is owned by another franchisee. Sky Zone has more than 300 locations, with the Warner Robins location to be the sixth Sky Zone in Georgia.

A timeline for the Warner Robins facility hasn't been established yet, with selecting the site the next step, Sandra Milby said.

For the Milbys, the new trampoline park is a big project, and they plan to enjoy it with their own kids. Each couple has three children.

David Milby, whose eldest daughter may work at their Sky Zone, said, "We’re really super excited."