Expedition Island Closing by February 20

Since it opened in fall of 2010, Petaluma parents have fallen in love with .

Where else could kids run across rope bridges, zip line and clamber up the side of a wall—all for about $20? There were also birthday parties, overnight camps and teen events as owner Ian Inman sought to create a space for children and teenagers to have fun, get exercise and build confidence.

But on Friday, the 24-year-old Inman announced that he was closing the 12,000 square foot indoor adventure center, a decision made necessary by debt accumulated before the business opened in September 2010.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the last day of operation for Expedition Island (will be) February 20,” Inman wrote in an online message to his supporters Friday. “The entire Expedition team has been amazing at providing a magical and fun-loving environment for so many kids who have entered our doors…It has been a pleasure to serve you.”

A phone and email message left Friday morning were not immediately returned.

Prior to opening Expedition Island, located at 755 Southpoint Boulevard, Inman was in negotiations with Jungle Quest, a Colorado-based company that franchises recreational gyms all over the country.

The partnership lasted about a year, but was eventually disbanded due to mutual differences. In the process, Inman incurred unexpected costs that wiped out the cushion he had been preparing for the launch.

“By the time we finally opened, we had $0 in the bank, owed thousands to our landlord, and I was already starting to get burnt out,” Inman said.

Despite that, the company managed to cover all of their monthly financial commitments until the spring 2011. Then, the summer came, and the flow of customers to the tropical-themed gym turned into a mere trickle.

Inman announced that he was seeking a majority shareholder to take over partial ownership of the gym, but in the end could not find anyone to do so.

And summer was brutal.

“We knew that there would be a seasonal decline in business, but it was much greater than we expected and we had no "cash cushion" to rely on,” Inman said. “Had we had a cash cushion to create additional revenue streams then we would have been fine, but we didn't and so a downward spiral began to form as we fought to come up with a viable solution to our lack of capitalization and resources.”

In the end, Inman decided that he had no choice but to close his company, which had grown to more than 25 employees. The business is for sale, but cannot be operated at the same location and would have to be revived under a new name. For more information, contact Inman at ian.inman@gmail.com. 

The news shocked Petaluma parents who are now mourning the impending closure of another local business that catered to children.  

"We are very sad to hear about the closure," said Sheri Chlebowski, a mom of three. "Our kids absolutely loved it and we loved that it engaged them in a form of exercise and sport." 

Patricia Steiding is a parent whose daughter works at the gym and says the the news means there is no other business in Petaluma where parents can drop off their children for a couple of hours exercise and socializing.

"There really is nothing like this place and it is sad to see it going away so fast," Steiding said. "I truly wish there was some sort of investment banker or a financially secure entrepreneur that could help Ian Inman to keep this establishment open and running."

Did you love Expedition Island? Share your memories of the place with other readers in the comments below.