Arena officials have been long working on an expansion project that will bring various new and exciting options to the space. After the completion of a large expansion that added about 5,000 square feet to the space, the group has been planning how this expansion will be utilized. With progress advancing quickly, arena leaders expect to have the massive expansion completed later this summer.

John Kinder Jr., The Zone program director, said the crew behind the project is working on wrapping up the final stages of construction. Kinder said that the final elements, such as finishing the electrical work, are currently being finished so that the new exhibits can be brought into the space and installed. Kinder noted that, throughout the process to transform the space, the new exhibits have been being developed at an off site location. When the time for the installment comes later in the spring, Kinder stated that the exhibits can be brought in and easily installed in the new location. While no date is currently set in stone for the completion, Kinder noted that development is still on track for the estimated opening time frame.

“So while kids will be playing with balls, running, jumping, climbing; simultaneously, they will be learning about the physics of movement and the sciences behind movement,” said Kinder. “There are opportunities throughout the 6,200 square-foot play space for free play, which is just classic balls, hoops, and nets.”

With the space focused on being a sports and STEM themed play area for children, coordinators ensured that every element of the new exhibit will have a positive or educational component to it. One example of one of these new exhibits is the Pop-A-Shot game. This game will allow the kids to compete against themselves or others, and is strongly similar to a three-point shootout. Kinder stated that there will be leaderboard scores from this game that will be displayed on the four-sided jumbotron. Another exhibit that will be added to the space will be the Great Race. Kinder stated that this game will allow kids to test their times in a ten-yard dash. Kids will be able to compete against their own previous times, with friends times, and will even be able to what their race would have looked like against professional athletes and animals. Additionally, Kinder noted that slow motion recaps of the races will be available for kids to view afterwards.

John Kinder, The Zone program director, is pictured in a screenshot from a recent Facebook Reel when the sign for the new attraction at the Northwest Arena was installed this fall.

“While it’s still safe to navigate through we are open to tours,” said Kinder. “Many of our exhibits will allow for teachers and educators to come in and, in non-traditional ways, reach their NYS learning standards through unconventional measures.”

Kinder also noted the major addition of a two-story climber that will be available. Not only is the climber ADA accessible to allow as many kids as possible to enjoy, but the climber will also have a range of pre-planned activities that will span throughout the two levels. Kinder stated that kids will be tasked with finding sports icons in the climber. With various slides, mazes, obstacles, and more the climber is sure to be quite the attraction to many. Kinder also noted the addition of a rock climbing wall to the space. The rock climbing wall will be anything but ordinary though, as there will be hand and foot holes that light up to guide the kids on a path up the wall.

“This was a tremendous labor of love, in which we left no stone unturned. We certainly leaned on the voices of our community members. Everything from teachers, administrators, educators, other youth organizations” said Kinder.

With so much contribution from these members of the community, Kinder noted the many expanded partnerships that may arise. Currently, a ten-person advisory committee periodically meets to discuss important developments to the project. The committee is made up of five individuals from the arena, and five members of the community. The committee will continue to discuss project ideas and developments in the time leading up to the completion of the construction, said Kinder.