Planet Lazer coming to Regina

Laser tag fans on the prairies won’t be left out to dry.

Laser Quest, which had been a Regina staple for 27 years, has been forced to shut down because of economic struggles from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The former Laser Quest location in Regina. (980 CJME)

However, Planet Lazer, a company from B.C., has leased the location in north Regina and hopes to open it for business this fall.

Thomas McCullough, the president of Planet Lazer, said Saskatchewan is the perfect place to expand the business.

“It is probably the least-affected province (by the pandemic.) People are still willing to go out and do things, which is one of the reasons why we wanted to open up in Regina first,” he explained. “It’s more of a positive location.”

Planet Lazer also acquired former Laser Quest locations in Calgary and Edmonton.

The two companies had been in talks for a full sale since last year. However, when the pandemic hit, negotiations stopped for some time.

McCullough is glad to have finally sorted things out.

“We’re really excited. At the beginning, it was a bummer year, but it still turned out to have some positives. Even though we didn’t acquire the full company, we still got the three locations, and we’re pumped about that,” he said.

People who made reservations at Laser Quest before it was closed will have an opportunity to reschedule when Planet Lazer opens, as long as they show a proof of purchase.

The opening date hasn’t been chosen yet, but Planet Lazer is aiming for early November.

Before then, there will be some branding changes and renovations to do.

“I’m not knocking Laser Quest — they have a great look and some very nice arenas — but we’re adding some pizzazz. It’s a bit more a modern look, with a high-tech feel when you walk through the doors,” McCullough said.

That work is already underway.

As with any business in these COVID times, there will be several safety measures in place.

“We take customers’ temperatures (and) there is a short questionnaire that we ask before they enter, so we try to do our best to screen the customer before they come in … Our staff are on a cleaning regimen throughout the day,” he explained.