The Rec Room
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryEntertainment restaurants
Founded2016 in Edmonton
Number of locations
10
ParentCineplex Entertainment
Websitetherecroom.com
The REC Room in Square One, Mississauga

The Rec Room is a Canadian chain of entertainment restaurants owned by Cineplex Entertainment. It first opened in Edmonton in 2016 and its locations feature entertainment and recreational attractions such as an arcade, driving simulators; recreational games such as darts, bowling, archery, and virtual reality; as well as restaurants and bars, and an auditorium with a cinema-style screen, which can be used for concerts and other live events.

History

In January 2015, Cineplex Entertainment announced the establishment of The Rec Room as a brand-new concept, with initial locations set for Calgary's Deerfoot City, South Edmonton Common, and Roundhouse Park in Toronto.[1][2][3] Cineplex CEO Ellis Jacob explained that the chain was meant to help the company diversify beyond its core cinema business in the wake of the growing streaming industry.[4]

The first location opened in South Edmonton Common in 2016.[citation needed] A second location at Roundhouse Park opened in June 2017, along with a second Edmonton location at West Edmonton Mall.[1][2]

Cineplex aimed to open 10-15 locations of The Rec Room nationally, ranging in size from 30,000 to 50,000 square feet. The company subsequently announced and opened other locations, including Masonville Place in London,[3][5][6][7] Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga (replacing parts of the former Target Canada store),[8] Avalon Mall in St. Johns, Seasons of Tuxedo in Winnipeg, and Brentwood Town Centre in Burnaby.[9][10][11] In May 2019, Cineplex announced a second Vancouver-area location on Granville Street to open in 2021, featuring a rooftop patio.[12]

The Toronto location features The Void virtual reality attraction.[2] In July 2018, Cineplex announced that it would become the exclusive Canadian franchisee of The Void and add additional locations (such as the Mississauga and West Edmonton Mall locations).[13]

Locations

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Second Rec Room location almost ready to go in West Edmonton Mall". Edmonton Journal. 2017-07-06. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
  2. ^ a b c d "Be a virtual Ghostbuster at Toronto's new Cineplex Rec Room". Toronto Star. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  3. ^ a b c "Roundhouse to get Cineplex 'social destination' for dining, entertainment". Toronto Star. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Entertainment and eats emporium the Rec Room opens in Toronto". Toronto Star. July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  5. ^ "Cineplex at Edmonton's South Edmonton Common opening The Rec Room". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  6. ^ "Cineplex unveils big plans for Deerfoot City". NewsTalk770. Corus Radio. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  7. ^ "Cineplex's 'Rec Room' opening slated for summer 2017". Calgary Herald. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  8. ^ Rosella, Louie (2017-11-06). "'Perfect spot': Here's what's coming to the old Target store at Square One". Mississauga.com. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  9. ^ "The Rec Room in Avalon Mall promising games, drinks, and a dose of nostalgia". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  10. ^ "Future of retail? Cineplex to open massive entertainment centre at Winnipeg's Seasons of Tuxedo". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  11. ^ "Cineplex eyes Burnaby for Rec Room entertainment complex". Vancouver Sun. 2017-05-17. Retrieved 2018-06-01.
  12. ^ Brown, Scott (2019-05-15). "Cineplex opening Rec Room fun centre on Granville Street in Vancouver". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2019-09-11.
  13. ^ "Cineplex to add at least 5 more Void virtual-reality experience centres". CBC News. Retrieved 2018-07-11.
  14. ^ "The Rec Room". The Rec Room. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
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