Increase in recreation businesses at malls points to fast-evolving trend

Canadian malls have long featured recreation facilities – gyms are everywhere, and West Edmonton Mall’s waterpark has been a draw since the mid-1980s – but the recent launch of numerous, elaborate recreation centres in shopping complexes large and small points to a fast-evolving trend, insiders say.

“Entertainment has become a necessary part of the shopping centre experience,” says David Wyatt, senior vice-president of retail at Morguard Investments Ltd., which owns or manages 17 malls across Canada.