VR Amusement Centre Pilot Approved for Gore Bay Arena
Gore Bay council has authorised a virtual reality indoor amusement centre to operate in the town arena this summer as a pilot project.
The decision followed Tymor Davis’ presentation at a recent ARQRON (an indoor amusement centre) council meeting. The plan described an indoor entertainment centre with virtual reality experiences, arcade games, interactive activities and family fun all in one place for people of different ages.
Mr Davis told the council he has lived on Western Manitoulin for the past six years and has a background in technology. During the presentation, he reported that the concept for the entertainment centre had been under consideration for some time. He also informed the council that he had spoken with several residents across Manitoulin Island to determine whether a pilot project of this nature would be supported locally.
According to the proposal, families in Gore Bay and across Manitoulin Island now travel to Sudbury for modern indoor entertainment options. The closest venue mentioned was the KUPP Centre in Sudbury, about 195 kilometres away. The presentation emphasised that such trips require lengthy travel, high fuel expenses, and individual admission fees. Establishing a local hub featuring multiple attractions would reduce travel demands and retain leisure spending within the community.
Council heard that demand is growing for hands-on, interactive experiences such as virtual reality, simulators, and themed games. The presentation noted that people want venues where families can participate in a variety of activities together under one roof.
The ARQRON concept was presented as an entertainment centre offering various activities, the first of its kind in Gore Bay and on Manitoulin Island. The presentation stated it could attract residents and tourists, notably during peak summer months.
The presentation described the entertainment centre as being designed to deliver a structured visitor journey from entry to exit. Plans indicated that the facility would include clearly defined activity zones, visual guidance systems and payment systems intended to allow visitors to move between attractions efficiently. Interactive games, virtual reality experiences, family recreation areas, and designated rest spaces were described as part of the overall layout, permitting visitors to explore multiple activities during a single visit.
Mr Davis showed the council a floor plan using the space at the town arena and the nearby curling club area. The plan showed that children could play arcade and video games while adults could enjoy other activities, such as bowling, all in the same place.
The proposal also said ARQRON could grow or be improved over time. The presentation said more virtual reality and engaging activities could be added later, along with new things for different seasons to keep people coming back. The plan also mentioned special events, tournaments, and online systems like phone booking and rewards programs.
During the meeting, Mayor Ron Lane noted that the municipality has authority over the arena building but does not control the curling club facility. Questions were also raised about the electrical capacity at the arena if a large number of machines were operating simultaneously.
In response, Mr Davis informed the council that each attraction unit would operate using an individual battery pack rather than drawing continuous power from the arena’s electrical system. He stated that the equipment would not require constant electricity usage and that the company would cover the cost of hydro during the rental period. The presentation also indicated that ARQRON would provide insurance coverage for the facility’s operations.
Community services manager Kelly Chaytor reported that a nursing home and at least one organisation had expressed interest in the centre being in Gore Bay. She also told the council that no summer events were scheduled at the arena, making it available for temporary use.
Mr Davis informed the council that the proposal was to operate a pilot project for one or two summer seasons. The presentation indicated that the arena would be rented from June to September, after which the building would again be required for ice operations beginning in October. The proposal also indicated that if the project proved successful, discussions with the council could resume later in the year.
Councillor Dan Forest said that placing the centre in the arena would mean it would be located in downtown Gore Bay. The meeting discussed that visitors might also shop at nearby businesses in the town centre.
Council passed a motion approving the rental of arena space to ARQRON from June through September at $500 per month. Under the approved terms, the company will also cover the hydro costs of operating equipment during the rental period.
