SixOneSix adding axes to its expanded location
By RYAN MCCRACKEN on May 22, 2020.
rmccracken@medicinehatnews.com@MHNMcCracken SixOneSix Entertainment will have a few axes to grind at its new location on Third Street. The Hat-based entertainment centre already features a wide assortment of virtual reality games, but with roughly four times as much space in its upcoming new home, owner Ken Forbes says he’ll be bringing in a few new attractions to keep the adrenaline pumping. “I was the first to bring VR (to Medicine Hat) and I’m the first to bring in axe-throwing,” said Forbes, adding he hopes to reopen at the new location in July. “I think adding a big family entertainment centre for all ages hopefully draws people not only from Medicine Hat, but people who are coming down from different places, to now maybe come in and spend more time downtown and see all the good things about downtown.” The new space will be home to eight virtual-reality booths with two party rooms, as well as a new golf simulator and seven axe-throwing stations – each with two targets – which will allow for league and tournament play. “We’re going to be joining the World Axe Throwing Association, so hopefully this will bring some tourism and tournaments into the downtown area,” he said. “Come in and we’ll give you some training on how to do everything. We’ll give you the rules and all that kind of stuff, like who shoots first, when you walk to the targets, stuff like that.” SixOneSix has been closed since early March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While it’s had an undeniable impact on his business, Forbes says he’s been trying to make the best of a bad situation by relocating through the crisis. “It gave me time to focus on this move. I’ve been working on this move since November of last year so it’s been taking a while to finalize everything,” said Forbes, adding he plans to keep some historical aspects alive at the new location, which used to house Parker’s Furniture. “When people show up and walk in the building for the first time, if they were in there previously at Parker’s, they will recognize some of the stuff that’s up still.” Forbes says the new building provides a best-of-both-worlds scenario, as SixOneSix maintains its downtown location while expanding on square footage, applying for a liquor licence and adding parking lot access for patrons. Forbes says he anticipates Third Street will undergo some serious reconstruction in the future, and having a parking lot will help him maintain a steady flow of customers. “If you close my street off, no one can come and then I’m going to lose business. After the pandemic, I couldn’t afford to have another delay or reason to be closed,” he said. “I just hope the opening of this location gives people something bright to look forward to and get out to do some stuff, to just get back to whatever the new normal is.” 11-10
