By Darlene Brace
After years of anticipation and planning, the Northwest Arena in Jamestown is thrilled to unveil The Zone, a new ultimate and unique indoor play destination. Located at 319 W. Third Street, it will officially open its doors this Saturday July 11th at 12pm. The Zone features a spectacular 6,200 square feet play area, where fun meets imagination and innovation. The Zone includes immersive, interactive, and educational play areas designed to ignite creativity and encourage movement. Whether your little ones are sports enthusiasts, tech-savvy, or just like to play, there’s something for all children ages 2yrs-13yrs. This is more than a play area, as it’s an adventure just waiting to happen!
Several years ago, the concept of The Zone was initially discussed, leading to the development of this unique play space. The Northwest Arena collaborated with RWS Global and Cortina Productions, which are renowned firms that have created immersive experiences and digital displays for various theme parks, museums, and destinations worldwide. After years in the making, The Zone is ready to open its doors.
The Zone incorporates free play and virtual games, utilizing technology and an interdisciplinary approach to provide hands-on, real-world experiences. The Zone also includes immersive, educational play that combines sports, fitness, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities, enriching the overall experience for children.
Some of The Zone’s features include a variety of sports-themed exhibits and attractions, including a rock-climbing wall, sports balls, nets, hoops, floor markings, skills tests, and more. There is also a designated toddler area with soft play equipment, ensuring a safe environment for younger children.
Guests who enter this sports-simulated world will receive a wristband with an RFID chip that records their experiences, allowing them to track their activities and compare information in future visits. Additionally, the engineers designed the play area as ADA-accessible, to allow options for children of all abilities. Most activities are accessible by wheelchair so that everyone can be included.
All children visiting The Zone must be accompanied by a paying parent, guardian, or responsible adult who is at least 18 years old. Admission for children is $15 for a one-hour play session, while adult admission is $10. Adults are encouraged to play along with their children in this family-friendly environment, where everyone can have fun together. There is also a small sitting area available if needed.
As an exciting aspect The Zone features is that it is offering schools in Chautauqua County to use its facilities for field trips. Students will have an amazing fun play experience, including educational topics such as nutrition, hydration, the physics of movement, muscle groups, and energy. These activities are designed to align with New York State Learning Standards, allowing learning to occur in non-traditional ways, which can also be used as a springboard to classroom activities when they return to school.
Local schools may be able to take advantage of a variety of funding sources such as BOCES CoSers, PTA contributions, and various grants. Schools can coordinate these field trips by having a teacher or another representative contact The Zone to discuss available dates, funding options, and whether they want to include additional activities, such as bumper cars or ice skating. It is recommended that schools call as soon as possible to book for the fall and winter, as dates are filling up quickly.
The Zone is also available to accommodate birthday parties as well as other private parties. Party bookings will open August 1, 2026, with available party dates beginning August 15, 2026. Parties will feature a two-hour celebration that includes one hour of playtime and one hour at a reserved table in the activity room.
To book an upcoming party or field trip, or in you are looking for other information on The Zone, please call 716-484-2624. You can also book tickets for The Zone and get more general information by visiting northwestarena.com.
The Zone invites you to join them starting July 11th for an exciting experience at their state-of-the-art play facility. The Zone offers an immersive free play environment that incorporates technology, sports-themed activities, educational play, and more, all within a comfortable indoor setting. It’s a family-friendly facility where the whole family can enjoy a unique and amazing experience. After a long period of planning and development, it’s exciting that The Zone is ready for you and your family to explore.