Opinion: Our city has it all now

Doug Cameron and Hamish Cameron, 11, enjoying Motion Entertainment. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Christmas has come early for every child (and a few adults) in Rotorua.

Living on the western side of the city, I haven't been privy to the developments of Motion Entertainment popping up at Lynmore Junction during the past few months.

But with three little people in our household, the opening date has been highlighted in the online calendar.

So yesterday we headed along to check out what all the fuss was about.

I was preparing for mayhem, crowds, screaming kids and plenty of chaos.

While admittedly there was some of that, I was mostly blown away with the awesome new attraction we have at our doorstep.

Two hours at Chipmunks flew by and it was a fantastic experience. We can't wait to try the rest.

I have lived in Rotorua for more than 20 years and have heard plenty of people rubbish this city. But in the past few years Rotorua has steamed ahead.

While we used to go to Tauranga or Hamilton for the nightlife and restaurants, Eat Streat now makes us stand out from the rest. I was also a regular visitor to the Western Bay for shops like Max and Augustine but now our local retail experience has also picked up.

Day trips to Baywave at Mt Maunganui and the Hamilton Zoo will also be skipped now while we instead spend our money at places like Motion Entertainment, Flip Out and the numerous tourist attractions that have upped their game over the past few years.

As I found myself skipping through the doors of Motion Entertainment yesterday like a kid in a lolly shop, I couldn't help but snigger with satisfaction that yes, this new development is all ours in Rotorua.