CHUBBUCK — An artificially intelligent hologram of an adrenaline-obsessed sloth named Rush may soon be greeting scores of thrill seekers at the new Extreme Rush family fun center.

Also, local residents looking to elevate their pickleball game, the nation’s fastest-growing sport, will be able to do so at a facility located directly adjacent to the massive entertainment complex.

Those behind Extreme Rush, a 60,000-square-foot facility that will be located at 211 East Lindon Avenue in Chubbuck, have been anxiously awaiting the center’s groundbreaking event, which was held on site and in conjunction with the groundbreaking of the Upper Level pickleball courts on Wednesday.

“Oh my gosh, we’re at probably at 20 out of 10 in terms of our excitement level,” said Sidney Davis, who will co-own the facility with Jason Hebdon.

The new facility will house a wide assortment of entertaining activities. Patrons will be able to earn their racing stripes in a multi-level go-cart track, do their best Rambo impression while shooting gel blasters, get their video game fix in the huge arcade or practice their putting in a fun game of mini golf that tracks your score for you.

There is certainly something for everyone, with Davis and Hebdon reassuring the Gate City community that this massive new entertainment installation will be affordable for everyone, regardless of income level.

“Because we are local guys, we’re purposely trying to keep the pricing as low as we possibly can,” Hebdon said. “When you go to Lagoon or when you go to Salt Lake or Boise, a lot of the prices feel very inflated. It can get really expensive, especially if you have a family of six or eight. That can get really pricey really fast.”

Multi-package deals that allow customers to enjoy go-karts in addition to many other attractions could cost as low as $40. Hebdon discussed his desire to give back to the community and create a place where a person wouldn’t have to be rich to enjoy a high quality entertainment center. Both Hebdon and Davis want to reassure the residents of Pocatello and Chubbuck that this passion project is entirely local.

“We’re local guys who love our city and want to bring something to our city because we live here with everybody else,” Hebdon said. “We’re not trying to compete with anyone...We tried on purpose to make sure we were bringing in attractions that were not already here. Our goal is not to try to compete with anybody but to enhance the experience and give more options to the people here in Pocatello and Southeast Idaho.”

Davis and Hebdon both know that in the modern era, families and fun seekers want a one-stop-shop where adults, adolescents and kids all can be engaged in something fun and immersing and no one is left by the wayside.

“So, you want to custom tailor that to create an experience for the customer to where when they leave, they feel like they got what they paid for,” Davis said. “To achieve that we have gathered together the best in the business. It’s going to be designed in such a way that it’s seamless to where everyone feels like it’s just one experience. We’re bringing in the top-of-the-line games, we’ve gone to conferences in Florida, in Vegas, and we’re bringing the best, most reliable, newest stuff that’s coming out.”

The duo has plans to meticulously track each activity, ensuring everything is current and that they keep pace with the most popular events and games.

In addition to the fun center, a new indoor pickleball court called the Upper Level will be constructed adjacent to the facility. The upcoming 30,000-square-foot installation is the brainchild of Josh Ellis, one of the owners of Chubbuck Village Developers.

“I’ve been building residential homes and selling residential homes in this area since about 2002,” Ellis said. “My dad was a builder and a developer and so mostly my interest is to find things that people need in the community that they want...You see it in other communities and people are always asking why can’t we have that here? We can. We just need to envision it. Put our mind to it and build it. That’s what we’re going to do.”

Construction of the courts has already started but much more work lies ahead for both facilities. A road will have to be constructed that connects Linden Avenue and Evans Lane. Water and sewer lines will also have to go in as well as other infrastructure that begins at the ground level.

Details are still forthcoming but the intention is to have the courts open 7 days a week, from approximately 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The pickleball courts will also be designed for tournament level play, a quality standard for those wanting to achieve a higher level of play.

“They’re all championship courts,” Ellis said. “Which is great for playing. We’re not trying to cram so many courts in there that you’re bumping up against the walls and the other players on each of the courts. We’re looking at having a join- friendly surface, we’re looking into a surface that will be softer on joints as people play but still a certified competitive surface.”

A tentative opening date has been set for Extreme Rush in April or May 2024 and the Upper Level pickle ball courts for sometime in June next year. The timeline is entirely dependent on Idaho’s inclement weather, so there is a chance that both facilities could be pushed back even further.

Hopefully by the middle of 2024, residents in Pocatello and Chubbuck may be feeling the Extreme Rush of the adrenaline-fueled family center and get to experience the Upper Level echelons of a competitive pickleball court.