Blue Fox Rock'n Bowl Cuts Ribbon on Laser Tag Arena

Laser tag anyone? in Simsbury officially opened its new laser tag arena Saturday with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The laser tag arena, furnished by LaZer Runner Laser Tag Systems out of Canada, fills an entertainment niche in Simsbury (and beyond). If you wanted to play laser tag before you had to drive relatively far afield for the experience. 

Planning for the arena began in April and construction in August, said Lisa Wilson-Foley, owner of the Rock’n Bowl and numerous other businesses under LW Holdings. 

Eight bowling lanes were removed to make room for the arena and the adjacent private room. Barry Wilson, Wilson-Foley’s brother and a manager of both the Rock’n Bowl and Blue Fox Run golf course, said he designed the arena’s mazelike interior while another brother, Scott Wilson, designed its exterior.  

Wilson-Foley said that there was a slight delay during construction due to an unexpected need to install sprinklers in the arena at the behest of the fire department.

“It was really a family and team effort here,” Wilson-Foley said, noting that she and the staff were painting the arena and adding finishing touches until 11 p.m. the night before the opening.

According to Mark Glanovsky, the Rock’n Bowl’s general manager, the arena measures 3,750 square feet and can accommodate 24 players at any one time. Matches last 10 minutes following an explanation of the rules of play and the activation of the laser tag equipment, which includes a vest and laser gun. 

Possible play modes include free-for-alls, team matches, capture-the-flag, and various “tag” modes, in addition to an adjustable level of difficulty. Players can be added to matches even after they have begun until to the 24 person limit is reached.

Scores are printed out after the match and also available for viewing on a screen above the arena entrance as the match is underway. 

According to LW Holdings marketing director Janet Peckinpaugh, the LaZer Runner systems are more dependable and use more up-to-date radio technology than other systems, ensuring that the laser guns will not cut out in the middle of matches and that the scoring is accurate.

Peckinpaugh said close to 100 people passed through the new arena by 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 birthday parties had been booked for the next four weeks. Refreshments were served in the adjoining room from the arena, including pizza from ABC Pizza and a giant grinder (sliced for easier enjoyment).

Peckinpaugh said that the idea for a laser tag arena came out of a desire to bring more entertainment to Simsbury and the Farmington Valley, as well as to broaden Blue Fox Rock’n Bowl’s appeal to children. She said that younger children typically come to Blue Fox for birthday parties, but that most of the establishment’s business came from bowling leagues and its weekend Rock’n Bowl program.

“We thought, ‘What a great way to attract all age kids’...  Everybody loves laser tag, even parents, right?  You can be a kid for a minute,” Peckinpaugh said.

State Sen. Kevin Witkos praised Wilson-Foley for expanding her small business. Witkos, his son, and nephew were among the participants in the first laser tag match following the ribbon cutting. After he offered this note — his relations beat him soundly during the match.

Witkos said that the Rock’n Bowl Arena, located at 1603 Hopmeadow Street near the Granby line, is significantly superior to a similar establishment he played at in Winsted. He said Simsbury has more space to run and more places to hide and snipe from.

“When Lisa asked me to come and cut the ribbon, I didn’t have to ask my kids to come,” he said, adding they were eager to try the new facility.

Seven-year-old Marisa Blaha of Avon was initially scared of the vibrating parts of the vest. She went into her first match with her father. After the match ended and she left the arena, she began asking to go back in by herself and challenged her older sister to go with her.

“She said that it’s the best place for birthday parties ever,” her mother said.

Blue Fox Rock'n Bowl Website

LaZer Runner Laser Tag Systems Website