Scene75 to add 2-story carousel, spin coaster and more

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dayton Daily News reporters Chris Stewart and Josh Sweigart — joined at times by Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs — are traveling the length of the largest of the 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes. It tore a path all the way across Montgomery County impacting thousands of homes and businesses. We are gathering people’s stories and investigating obstacles to recovery. This story is part of that coverage. Go here for the full project.

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A two-story carousel, a spin coaster and a 40,000-square-foot expansion are in the works as Scene75 works to build bigger and better after receiving substantial damage in the Memorial Day tornadoes.

Damage to the indoor entertainment center on Poe Avenue in Vandalia totaled more than $7 million, according to records submitted to the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office and obtained by the Dayton Daily News.

SPECIAL PROJECT: Walking the Path of the Storm

“It was pretty bad,” said business owner Les Sandler. “We had the roof basically lifted up. Because of that, the sprinkler system went off so we had water damage. We have HVAC’s we’re still looking for that flew off the roof and we don’t know where they are.”

The only property in Montgomery County that reported more damage is Hara Arena, whose owners report suffered $7.5 million in damage from the storm, according to auditor’s office data.

Sandler said they hope to re-open by the middle to end of the first quarter of 2020.

Tornado survivors: Tell us what you need on the path to recovery

Buildings plans include adding a two-story carousel, and also what Sandler describes as “a roller coaster, per se, but also the cars spin around.”

They are also expanding the indoor golf course with waterfalls and other amenities, and adding a banquet center.

RELATED: Tornado recovery resource guide

To fit all this in, they are expanding into about 40,000-square-feet of space in the former furniture warehouse that previously sat empty. This will bring Scene75’s total square footage to 164,000 – one of the largest indoor entertainment centers in the country.

Connecting the parking lot to the building they own next door will add 350 parking spots.

“We should be bigger and better. I believe that. But it’s just the pain through to get there,” Sandler said.

RELATED: New podcast takes listeners on the path of the Memorial Day tornadoes

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