Karts good to go as venue is reborn

SINCE March, Catherine Hayes has been busy lugging around six hundred tyres while her business has been closed, but she’s enjoyed every minute.

The new owner of Ballarat Indoor Go Karts and Laserforce, alongside husband, Darren Hayes, she’s made the most of the COVID-19 period, working to give the fast-paced space a complete refresh, while keeping her three staff employed and spending time with her family.

“We bought the business three months and two days before we had to shut down. Once we got over the shock of it all, and knew what the government was doing for small business, we got our three staff back on and they’ve been multi-skilling ever since,” she said.

“We’ve changed the track layout and moved tyre walls around, the walls are a new colour, we’ve overhauled all of the karts, built a new briefing room, built new fencing, and changed the laser tag arena too.

“Normally open seven days a week, we had all these plans that we wouldn’t have been able to achieve if we didn’t close. In hindsight, we’ll come out of this in a far stronger position.”

Selling out of Jim’s Fencing last May, the Hayes family were attracted to the go kart centre when they were looking for a new venture at the end of 2019.

“It had been run down, but was still a really iconic place for Ballarat. Everyone remembers coming here, and we saw the potential of it,” Mrs Hayes said.

“We’re now reopen with a whole new visual. It’s calmer than the previous green, it’s far more professional and it feels bigger. Our regular and new clients will be excited and feel a warmer welcome when they come in.”

Laserforce is not yet allowed to open to the public as an indoor amusement centre, but its space adjacent to the race track will feature new artwork, arcade games, a parents’ sitting room, and a designated party room, ideal for teen birthday celebrations.

“I’ve got three teenage daughters and there is nowhere for teenagers to go in Ballarat that doesn’t involve alcohol, other than tenpin bowling.

“We don’t sell alcohol, it’s safe here, we have experienced staff, we’re passionate about what we do and that’s what parents are looking for, so that’s another market we’d like to attract,” Mrs Hayes said.

“There’s also nowhere in Ballarat for corporate adrenaline junkie activities, so we’re hoping we can provide a venue for corporate groups of up to 50, once that’s allowed, where they have exclusive venue use and catering.”

Clubspeed software is set for installation at Ballarat Indoor Go Karts in July, and the new track configuration accommodates a central viewing area.

“That’s a big timing and registration system, with phone apps, pre-registration and indemnity form capabilities,” Mrs Hayes said.

“Parents and people watching were always up at the far end and could never get a good visual on their kids or other adults racing, so we’ve created a walk zone into a space where they can watch and feel a part of it.”

Just in time for school holidays, Ballarat Indoor Go Karts is back open seven days, with restricted hours from approximately 2pm to 9pm. Bookings are essential via 5332 8022.