$5M entertainment center to open in Vandalia

Proposed features at Scene75

@@facebook=

@@

VANDALIA — A $5 million entertainment center that will employ more than 100 people and is touted as the largest venue of its kind in the U.S. will open this spring in the former Roberds furniture warehouse and showroom near the Benchwood-Wyse Road exit off Interstate 75, according to the new facility’s co-owner.

The Scene75 Entertainment Center announcement Friday joins a growing roster of entertainment districts and complexes planned for the greater Dayton region. They also would include a new entertainment district approved this month at Austin Landing in Miami Twp. and a proposed office, shopping and entertainment complex in Huber Heights.

The new entertainment venues are good for the region because they bring jobs and support the “grow, work and play initiative” for people working in the community, said Jeff Hoagland, president and chief executive of the Dayton Development Coalition and a former Vandalia city manager.

“It allows avenues for our residents and our employees of the region to have outlets for not only themselves but for their entire family,” Hoagland said.

Scene75 at 6196 Poe Avenue is a 124,000-square-foot entertainment complex that will feature one of only two indoor electric go-kart tracks in Ohio and the region’s only multi sensory 4-D theater, among other attractions, said co-owner Jonah Sandler, a Cincinnati native who now lives in Lebanon.

Sandler, 29, also owns the Chaos Room gaming center in Centerville and Putters Par-adise miniature golf course in Englewood.

He will open Scene75 with local investors, with a target launch date of April.

Interior demolition was completed last week and construction has started on the facility, which also will include a full-service restaurant, two indoor bars, multi level laser tag arena, bouncing inflatable arena, video game arcade and outdoor sand volleyball courts.

“I expect this to be the entertainment destination not only in the winter months when people look for indoor alternatives, but given the size of the patio and the food and drink service, this should be the go-to destination in the spring and summer months, as well,” Sandler said.

Vandalia and Butler Twp. officials said they have been looking for an entertainment center that will appeal to families that frequent the restaurants and hotels on Miller Lane in Butler Twp.

Vandalia City Manager Rob Anderson said his city has been working with Sandler for several years to put the project together.

“This is a very unique business and it will make an excellent amenity for the people of Vandalia and the entire region,” he said.

Butler Twp. Trustees President Michael Lang said Scene75 will help bring business to the area.

The facility’s location one exit south of the I-75 and I-70 exchange was part of its appeal, Sandler said.

Most employees will be part-time, he said.

Scene75 will be the largest entertainment center in the U.S., according to Sandler. “The sheer size and scope of this facility” makes it unique to the area and the industry, he said.

The facility’s 36-foot ceiling height will allow for “inflatables that you only see at convention show rooms,” Sandler said.

Most family entertainment centers focus strictly on the interior space. “We intend to make the outdoor space a significant attraction as well,” he said.

Sandler hopes the center will appeal to people of all ages. The enclosed 5,500-square-foot restaurant and bar area will feature 70-inch HD televisions and a 24-foot-long live sports ticker.

Scene75 will offer free admission with various fees for each attraction. Customers will load a dollar value onto a card that will serve as the common currency throughout the facility.

“It is all going to function off that one card to make it convenient for our customers,” Sander said.

Staff writer Marc Katz contributed to this story. Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDailyNews.com.