A group expertise: Hydroball Haunt brings immersive gaming to Belpre | Information, Sports activities, Jobs

The Hydroball Haunt opening Nov. 3 is situated on the previous Bennett Tax Service constructing at 230 Washington Blvd. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

BELPRE – The Hydroball Haunt is scheduled to open to the general public on Nov. 3.

Located on the previous Bennett Tax Service constructing at 230 Washington Blvd., the occasion will characteristic a novel and thrilling expertise for folks of all ages.

Hydroball Haunt will take gamers via an immersive expertise that’s just like a paintball sport however makes use of jelly-like water balls. The theme is kid-friendly however focuses on spooky, glow-in-the-dark Halloween figures like zombies and aliens who’re performed by the staff.

Players will probably be outfitted with masks, vests and hydroball weapons whereas preventing each opponents and aliens or zombies. Tickets for the occasion begin at $10 per participant.

“We put down about $80,000 to completely renovate the basement,” stated proprietor Chad “Clack” Travis. “This started as a completely unfinished basement and we started renovations about 10 days ago.”

Hydroball Haunt is present process ultimate particulars earlier than its grand opening on Nov. 3. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Travis took over the constructing after the passing of his uncle Lonnie Bennett who had handed away in a ship hearth in 2022. Over the course of some months, Travis has been brainstorming, investing and dealing in the direction of making his imaginative and prescient right into a actuality.

“I love this place, this building, and this area and I want to continue to do this to provide something positive for this community so they can go out and do fun things,” he stated.

The format of the Hydroball Haunt takes gamers via darkish corridors lit by lasers, neon art work and spooky music. Travis stated artists, workers and volunteers who’re shut mates of his have devoted hours in the direction of establishing the course format and portray the partitions.

“We set up two main bases for the players with temporary spots to hide the zombies so we can control the walkthrough,” he stated.

The basement is roofed in props like spiderwebs, creepy dolls, corn fields and extra. He stated there aren’t jumpscares within the sport as a result of he actually wished to make the expertise enjoyable and fascinating for all youngsters.

The alien and zombie masks the staff will probably be carrying throughout a sport of hydroball within the basement of the previous Bennett Tax Service constructing. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“This has got a lot more sustainability and replayability whereas paintball is painful and after a few shots you don’t really want to get shot anymore,” stated Travis.

Travis stated his motivation for turning the previous tax constructing into an immersive gaming expertise offers the group one thing to do and retains the youngsters out of bother.

“I’m doing this for the people and to have something in the area that they can all do,” he stated.

Travis stated he has completely different hydroball themes deliberate for every season so there will probably be one thing for Christmas and Valentine’s Day and extra.

He is absolutely excited to share the expertise with the group and unfold his imaginative and prescient that he has to proceed increasing the constructing past simply the hydroball expertise.

Players will observe the trail all the way down to the basement the place the principles for hydroball are displayed earlier than they enter to play the sport. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Travis and his crew of volunteers and workers who he works intently with on a regular basis to realize the imaginative and prescient are finalizing the small print and perfecting the sport earlier than opening day.

For extra data go to hydroballvr.com

A preview of the art work and props for the Hydroball Haunt gaming expertise. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The theme of the Hydroball Haunt focuses on aliens and zombies for an thrilling hydroball gaming expertise. Players will probably be immersed in lasers, neon paint, and spooky props all through the course format. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The hydroball weapons and masks the gamers will use for the Hydroball Haunt which opens to the general public on Nov. 3. (Photo by Amber Phipps)