For more than 40 years, the Westgate Mall once owned by Harold Campbell and built in 1973 on Schoenersville Road in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania has provided a convenient way for residents to shop for varied kinds of goods and services all in just one roof. Lately, excitement has been brewing up with news of major renovation works for the mall totaling US$5 million, which includes the addition of an indoor trampoline park.

The overhaul, which began last week is expected to last from six to eight months. The upgrade of the facade includes a new roof and new towers in shades of cream and gray.

The new mall owner, City View Capital, purchased the mall two years ago and Westgate Mall Management, headed by Mark Pepitone, operates it.

There is “a high demand from the retailers for the available space,” said Karen Pittari, the vice president of marketing for Westgate Mall Management.

The management is already having talks with new tenants and will allow them to announce their plans once they are ready, Pittari said. There is a lot of enthusiasm on the ongoing rework. She added that, “We’re really looking forward to future of Westgate Mall.”

Sky Zone Trampoline Park will open this winter and will have dozens of trampolines in a 26,000 square-foot space, said owner Roseann Cox. The entry of the trampoline park, plus other planned new businesses will bring the mall to 90 percent occupancy.

Sky Zone, with its party rooms, is expected to attract new customers and create a lot of business not just for itself, but also for fellow mall tenants Westgate Pizza, Amateur Athlete Skate Shop, and Hawk Music Center.

Hawk Music Center co-owner Phil Hawk commented that he was excited about the new and more spacious location of his store, as well as the other changes happening in the mall. Hawk Music recently transferred to a space beside Bon-Ton to make way for the trampoline park, which will also be displacing Fashion Nails to a new location in the mall. “I think it’ll all be great for the mall – it’s been needed for a long while,” said Hawk, whose father, Bill, opened the store in 1973. “There is a future for the mall and we’re excited for it,” he added.

Construction works in the mall have produced jobs in the area. The fresh look of the mall plus new tenants will further stir up the local economy as customers are drawn there to enjoy the fun-filled activities of the trampoline park, the much loved goodies and well-patronized services that have been offered by the existing shops, and the interesting items to be displayed and made available by new stores in the mall.

Alicia Karner, Director of the Community and Economic Development said that city officials are encouraged by the facade redevelopments and trampoline park lease. “The current owner is enthusiastic about the possibilities and we’re supportive of the investment he’s making,” Karner said.