After three years of preparation, high-tech entertainment center Extreme Rush will begin a phased opening this month as Gate City residents push for a Christmas opening.

The facility, which will feature a go-kart track, laser tag, a laser maze, a kids technology play area with an interactive holographic wall, an arcade and more, was originally going to be located on Linden Avenue near the ICCU headquarters. Due to timeline issues stretching the project as far out as 2029, the entertainment center is now located within what once was Big Lots at 1000 Pocatello Creek Road.

Jason Hebdon and Sidney Davis, co-founders of Extreme Rush, have experienced remodeling delays with the new facility but are eager to finally bring the sloth character, Rush, to life for local families alongside its various attractions.

“It’s a really super intrinsic, multifaceted project,” Davis said about construction efforts that began in April. “We had to completely demo the inside, which included taking out ceiling tiles, flooring tiles, false ceilings, light fixtures, existing walls that were already framed in and plumbing conduit. There’s so much material in a building even when it’s empty.”

Foundation issues for the go-kart track as well as building permits are also taking time to navigate. The go-kart track itself traveled across the Atlantic from Italy to Houston and arrived in Pocatello by rail last month. All attractions are slated to be within the facility by the beginning of December.

“The remodel itself won’t be 100 percent completed by the time the attractions reach us,” Hebdon said. “We’ve had so much feedback from the community we are wanting to make sure we can be available during Christmas, and so we will end up having modified days open.”

This will likely mean being open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and then closing the facility for construction Mondays through Thursdays.

The duo has not announced a specific phased-opening date but is aiming for the third week of December. The team has also tried its best to formulate prices as affordable and competitive.

“We’ve tried really, really hard to keep the pricing as low as we can while still being able to meet our margins,” Hebdon said. “I’m guessing it’s going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of about $30 or $35 for a person to be able to come and really enjoy the facility.”

An all-day pass is in the works but will likely not be available in time for the phased opening. Different packages as well as themed nights for families, couples, schools and more are also in the works.

The goal is to provide the community with an experience most would travel to Boise or Salt Lake City to enjoy.

“I think we’ll be pulling from Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Logan and Rexburg, and so instead of all the people in Pocatello always having to leave to go and do things, we’re looking to reverse it,” Hebdon said. “For the first time in a long time, we’re going to be a destination instead of having to go to a destination.”

More information can be found by visiting extremerushidaho.com.