By Sara Beth Williams–
Management at FunCity Trampoline Park has called the recent vandalism to their property’s electrical system just before opening week “unlucky.”
For the last three and a half weeks, the company is preparing for an alternative way to operate their business in the wake of tens of thousands of dollars in theft and damage.
In an interview with the adventure park’s manager, The Sentinel was told the company hired over 20 people, all local employees from Citrus Heights. As employees showed up to work on Monday, June 8, to prepare for a soft opening of the trampoline park, the workers discovered there was no power to the building.
The building’s electrical system was severely vandalized, with $90,000 worth of copper wire stolen from the electrical box, Citrus Heights Police confirmed. The manager said the thieves “cleaned everything out” and shared pictures of wires having been severed and the electrical box having been stolen off the wall.
Loss of power delayed the adventure park’s opening.
“We are victims,” management said, adding that it took the adventure park more than a year of remodeling and preparation to get to the point of being able to open for business.
Now FunCity has purchased industrial generators and plans to open for business once the city completes a final inspection of the generators that have been set up inside. There is no official opening date, but the adventure park does hope to be able to open for business soon.
“Everyone is so upset,” the manager said of the staff, adding that everyone was very excited to start working at the park, and many people in the community had been anticipating the adventure park’s opening.
The damages go far beyond the physical vandalism and theft, the manager says, explaining that the company is losing revenue daily and must also pay for the cost of generators. Repairs will not be immediate, the company said, as the insurance company is still verifying and assessing damage. Equipment parts will need to be ordered, possibly from overseas, and equipment has to be programed prior to installation.
The connected properties of 8525, 8509 and 8501 are owned by two different owners, and both were impacted by the theft. The property owners who occupy the spaces adjacent to FunCity said the insurance company depictable was $10,000 alone, and constructing new security gates and fencing, and installing new security features, have cost both business owners tens of thousands of dollars.
Citrus Heights Police confirmed that the crime was reported on June 8 and took place sometime the weekend before. The case has been forwarded to the investigations unit, and property crime detectives are currently investigating. There are no suspects, and no estimated amount in damages, except for the estimated cost of the value of the stolen copper wiring.
FunCity Trampoline Park is located at 8525 Auburn Blvd. in the Citrus Grove Shopping Center.
