Launching your own leisure park: it all starts with your personal investment

Launching an amusement park is an ambitious project that requires rigorous planning, especially regarding the budget.
Before you start looking for premises or activities, it is essential to precisely define your budget.

1. Defining your budget: where to start?

First and foremost, it is crucial to determine your personal contribution.

This represents the amount you are able to invest directly in the project. Banks generally require a down payment of between 20 and 30% to grant financing.

Example calculation:

• You have €160,000 of personal funds available.
• With a 20% down payment, you can consider full financing of 800 000 €.
• Taking an average of €800/m² , this allows you to consider a park of approximately 1,000 m² .

2. How much does it cost to create an amusement park?

On average, you should expect to pay between €800 and €1,000/m² to cover the installation of games and the work, provided that the premises do not require heavy renovations.

If you're aiming for a park with high-end catering and finishes , the budget is generally higher, ranging from €1,400 to €1,600/m² . This upgrade directly reflects the quality of the facilities and the customer experience you want to offer.

Here are the main elements to consider in your budget:

• Building cost: Acquiring or renting the building represents a significant portion of the budget. Depending on the location and condition of the building, this cost can vary considerably.
• Compliance work and improvements: Bringing the premises into compliance with safety standards (fire, accessibility, etc.) as well as interior improvements (reception areas, changing rooms, sanitary facilities).

Certain items can significantly influence the final budget, particularly depending on the initial condition of the chosen building:

• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning): essential for visitor comfort.
• Smoke extraction: strict regulations depending on the type of building.
• Electricity: bringing up to standard and installations specific to the activities.

To this must be added the following expenses:

• Purchase and installation of equipment: Depending on the activities chosen (trampolines, obstacle courses, interactive games), the cost of equipment may vary.
• Management and booking systems: High-performance software for managing bookings, payments and customer follow-up is essential to ensure the smooth operation of the park.
• Permits and insurance: The necessary authorizations (urban planning, operation) and appropriate insurance to cover risks related to visitors and staff.
• Communication and marketing: To ensure the visibility of your park, it is essential to allocate a budget dedicated to communication (website, social networks, local signage, advertising).
• Staff costs: Recruitment and training of teams (reception, security, entertainment) is an expense item that should not be overlooked.
• Maintenance and upkeep : Equipment must be regularly maintained to ensure visitor safety and extend its lifespan.

An overview of the actual costs observed among our clients this year:

To give you a more concrete idea, here are the average construction budgets observed on projects completed in 2024.
The average cost of the work is €1,067/m² , but each project has its own specific characteristics! Only a detailed study (DCE) allows for a perfectly accurate estimate.

💡 Breakdown of works costs:
Site installations: 4% | €42/m²
Demolition – Structural work – Networks: 10% | €106/m²
Plastering – Insulation – Suspended ceilings: 8% | €84/m²
Interior joinery: 3% | €32/m²
Electricity (excluding lighting): 17% | €179/m²
Plumbing – Sanitary ware: 7% | €74/m²
Tiling – Earthenware: 4% | €43/m²
Resilient flooring: 8% | €84/m²
Painting: 6% | €63/m²
Kitchen – Refrigeration production: 7% | €74/m²
Modular partitions: 4% | €42/m²
Metalwork: 5% | €53/m²
Heating – Ventilation – Air Conditioning (HVAC): 11% | €105/m²
Furniture: 7% | €74/m²
Fire safety (alarm, fire extinguishers, video surveillance): 3% | €32/m²
Roads and Utilities (VRD): 6% | €64/m²
Cleaning & Finishing: 2% | €21/m²
Specific costs depending on the building and public access building (ERP) regulations:
Accessible lift: €35,000 (if necessary)
Sprinkler system: €21/m²
Mechanical smoke extraction: €85/m² | Natural smoke extraction: €60/m²

And of course, to all this is added the price of activities and equipment depending on the concept of your park.

📍 Every project is unique, but with these figures, you already have a good basis for anticipating your budget!

3. How to reduce costs?

It's possible to optimize your budget by making some compromises on the project's level of finish. Here are a few ways to reduce the overall cost:

• Opt for more understated finishes: favour less expensive industrial materials by limiting paints and floor coverings.
• Opt for modular and scalable structures: they allow you to stagger investments and adapt the space according to the evolution of your business.
• Reuse intelligently: second-hand furniture or refurbished equipment can be real opportunities to reduce costs without sacrificing quality.

⚠️ A word of caution: Faced with increasing competition, customer experience plays a key role. Rather than sacrificing the quality of the finishes, it's better to slightly reduce the park's size while offering a well-maintained and attractive environment. A smaller but well-designed space will have a much better impact than a large park with low-end finishes.

Postpone certain non-essential installations:

• Invest gradually in decoration and interior design.

Choosing equipment with a good return on investment

To optimize your budget while maximizing profitability, adopt a strategic approach:

• Focus on high-profitability activities: start with a limited number of pieces of equipment that generate a good return on investment.
• Test before you buy: renting certain equipment allows you to assess its popularity before making a final investment.

⚠️ A budget threshold not to be underestimated.
Even with cost optimization, it's difficult to go below €800/m² (including games and construction) without making compromises that can impact park operations. Facilities below this threshold have often sacrificed essential elements in our view, such as heating, air conditioning, finishes, and paint . All of these elements directly influence visitor comfort and the quality of the customer experience!

4. Calculate the surface area based on your budget

Once you have defined your budget, you can estimate the size of your leisure park. Here is an estimate of average sizes depending on the type of project:

To properly size your project and avoid unpleasant surprises, it's essential to adapt the surface area to your budget. A strategic approach will allow you to optimize your investment without compromising the quality of your park.

💡 Tip: To estimate the maximum surface area you can afford, use the following formula:

Total available budget ÷ Average cost per m² = Possible surface area

Example with a budget of €800,000:
€800,000 ÷ €800/m² = 1,000 m²

However, several factors can impact the feasibility of your project. To secure funding, it is essential to demonstrate its future profitability through a solid and convincing business plan.

• Location: The cost per square meter can vary considerably between an urban area and a rural area.
• Existing or new buildings: Renovating a building can reduce costs compared to new construction, but bringing it up to code can represent an unforeseen expense.
• Modularity of the project: Considering an opening in several phases allows starting with a smaller area and expanding gradually.
• Type of activity chosen: Some activities require more space, such as adventure courses, while others, such as virtual reality rooms, require less space.

5. Find the right location

Once your budget is defined, it's time to start looking for the ideal location for your park.

Choosing the right location is a crucial step that will directly influence the attendance and profitability of your amusement park. Here are some criteria to consider when identifying the ideal location:

• Accessibility: Opt for areas well served by roads, public transport and with suitable parking.
• Visibility: A location on the edge of a busy road or near a commercial area can attract more visitors.
• Local market research: Analyze the demographics, existing competition, and leisure habits of the residents.
• Zoning and regulations: Check that the land or building complies with urban planning standards and the specific requirements for establishments open to the public (ERP).
• Proximity to infrastructure: The presence of shops, hotels or complementary attractions can enhance the attractiveness of your park.
• Land cost: Compare purchase or rental prices in different areas to find the best value for money.

To help you with this process, you can create a building search mandate to be assisted by our Storkeo .

6. Make the right choices for a profitable and sustainable project

Launching an amusement park is an ambitious project that requires strategic decisions at every stage. That's why our team supports you with solutions tailored to your budget and objectives.

With our three areas of expertise , we help you structure your project and maximize its profitability:

• Real estate: finding the ideal match and supporting you in the purchase or rental process.
• Design, construction & maintenance: project study, choice of materials and equipment, monitoring of works and maintenance of the park.
• Services for professionals: financing solutions, management advice and optimization strategies.

With our support, you make informed decisions and optimize your investment from the outset. The goal: an attractive, profitable, and scalable portfolio.

7. Obtain financing with Storkeo

Financing a leisure park can be a challenge, but Storkeo supports you in this process by offering solutions tailored to your project.

Thanks to our expertise, you will benefit from personalized support for:

• Assess your financial needs and determine the amount to borrow based on your personal contribution.
• Find tailored financing solutions , whether it be bank loans, equipment leasing or available subsidies.
• Build a strong case to convince financial institutions and maximize your chances of obtaining the necessary funds.

To learn more about our financing solutions, visit our dedicated page: https://storkeo.com/financement/ .

Don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your project and benefit from personalized support to embark on the project of your dreams!