The manager of Korny Korners Adventure Farm in Sarnia is hinting about big plans for the future after the local attraction came under new ownership this year.
The property, previously owned by the Thurston family, was listed for sale in April and sold shortly after.
Farm Manager Lucas Kita said they held their official grand opening on August 1.
"It was surprisingly quick how fast we were able to get reopened but that's because Matt [Kember] was working day and night," Kita said.
Kita said Kember, who also owns South West Fence & Decks, wanted to keep Korny Korners in the community. "When he bought this farm, he saw it as an opportunity to give back to the community and also make something fun in Sarnia again," Kita said. "We went in there and ripped out all of the old concrete -- completely poured new concrete, renovated the inside of the market, added a dairy ice cream bar, added some inflatables, and they built this ginormous zip line."
The farm still includes a petting zoo. Kita said Kember is also willing to hear suggestions from visitors on the types of animals they would like to see.
So far, the public response has been positive.
"Our whole vibe we're trying to go for is just give people the best customer service possible and the best experience," Kita said. "When I grew up, there was Bluewater Fun Park or something fun to go to, and now we're trying to make Korny Korners into that." Kita said lots of "big things" are being considered for the future but did not want to share further details at this time. He said they are looking at potentially being open year-round.
"Our plans are to keep at least the market and dairy bar -- or something -- going through the year, not be as seasonal as the farm was in the past," Kita said. "That will all take support and people continuing to come through the doors."
Currently, the farm has a steady flow of visitors but Kita expects it to pick up more so in the fall.
"We have just started planning and booking events for birthday parties, field trips, and all of that and it's pretty busy, so if people are looking to get an event in, to call," he said.
The farm is located near the intersection of Michigan Line and Blackwell Sideroad, at 6193 Blackwell Sideroad.