From: Philip St. George and Rooster Cogburn, thenorthbaybay.ca
The newest offering from U-Haul won’t come in 10, 15, or 20 foot lengths – but it will come with an EZ-Load ramp.
“You know, for wheelchair accessibility,” says U-Haul President Ulysses Hall.
The North Bay U-Haul® U-Play Place™ is set to begin construction on Main St. in late February for a June 1st opening.
The U-Play Place™ is a U-Haul themed playground which encourages “tactile learning, development of gross motor skills, and a desire to move.”
“Kids will find a wide range of free play equipment that will entertain, educate, and delight,” explains Hall.
“We’ve got classics like slides, swings, rings, slings, and climbers, alongside new stations that show kids how to assemble boxes and tape things down. There’s also the brand new U-Play Place™ Packer®.”
The U-Play Place™ Packer®
The U-Play Place™ Packer® is a simulation in which children will try their best to fit a wide array of different shaped bags, boxes and furniture into a “probably too small” 10 foot U-Haul truck.
“It’s like playing 3D Tetris while your friends yell at you,” explains Hall.
More Local Engagement
Hall says that U-Haul is ready to engage more with North Bay if the U-Play Place™ does well.
“We crunched a lot of numbers and realized North Bay is a prime place for U-Haul to invest in, even if only for the short term.”
Other projects include leasing a lot on Airport hill to help shelter the homeless with older trucks and a possible OHL partnership.
“If the Battalion ever runs into trouble, we’ll be here to help,” says Hall. “I personally think The North Bay Haulers has a real ring to it.”
Win-Win
Hall is confident that both children and their parents will love the new U-Play Place™.
“If they don’t like the park they can get a full refund and if they don’t like North Bay they can get a 20% off a U-Haul voucher.”
“It’s a win-win.”