Business owner Darren Balsamo didn’t know that he would eventually be the co-owner of 11 Adventure Parks and 4 (and counting) Family Entertainment Centers.

In 2015 a reality tv show caught Balsamo’s attention when he saw kids flipping around on trampolines in an indoor facility. After looking into options, he found a similar facility in a neighboring city. After frequently visiting and understanding the business, Balsamo knew he had to get in on the action. He had the perfect hometown that needed a trampoline park!

After much thought and consideration, Balsamo and a few partners went in on opening a franchise location in Monroe, LA; Jackson, MS; Gulfport, MS; and Mobile, AL. After several years of being a franchise co-owner, Balsamo was determined to break away and create his own brand, known as Surge.

The team took the time to research and analyze the demographics of trampoline parks in the area to determine the best location for Surge. They wanted to bring something different to the table and make sure their features and appearance were top-notch and kid-friendly. They made sure the parks were bright, clean, and designed with safety in mind for families.

In 2017 the Surge brand opened its very first location in Opelika, AL, with Birmingham, AL, Metairie, LA, and Fort Walton, FL, following right behind.

In 2018 construction started in Winston Salem, NC, with Fayetteville, NC, in sight. While Balsamo was building new Adventure Parks on the east coast, he traveled back and forth between his other parks. While in New Orleans attending a Saints Football game, his Metairie staff called him to tell him that the star quarterback with the New Orleans Saints was hosting his son’s birthday party at our location the following day.

Balsamo showed up to see what Drew, his friends, and his family thought of his Adventure Park. After the conversation, it didn’t take long for Drew to recognize the potential of Surge, and he wanted to be a part of it. Within 30 minutes, he was calling Balsamo for more information and eager get involved.
Fortunately for Darren, Drew was very impressed with Surge, and within a couple of months, they became partners and began working on the plans for the future of the business.

The Surge brand was determined to bring big-city entertainment to local communities. That is when they discovered a need for family entertainment and started their research on bowling, laser tag, arcade games, and more. The team set out to create a place where people could come together and have fun. In November 2019, their first Family Entertainment Center opened its doors in Lafayette, Louisiana. Since then, Surge has expanded, opening its 11th Adventure Park in Richmond, VA, and three additional Family Entertainment Centers in West Monroe, LA, Bossier, LA, and Mobile, AL. With each new location, they ensured the latest features and attractions to each park.

Today, Surge is a thriving trampoline park and family entertainment business, offering a unique and fun experience to kids and families all over the country. We are passionate about providing opportunities for families to come together, have fun, and create lasting memories. We are excited to continue to bring our passion and commitment to local communities and can’t wait to see what the future holds for Surge!

Coming 2024 – Metairie, LA, & Baton Rouge, LA