Nine Attractions Combine Into One Description-Defying “Multi-Tainment Center”

Spanning 165,000 square feet and costing some $50 million to build, the new UltraStar Multi-tainment Center near Maricopa is now the largest indoor entertainment complex in Arizona, and one of the largest anywhere in America. Comparisons to similar entertainment palaces aren’t terribly helpful because it’s unlikely you’ve ever seen a comparable venue – or that such a place even exists.

“What we’ve done here just doesn’t exist,” echoes Adam Saks, the general manager of UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle next to the Harrah’s Casino. For one thing, no other entertainment complex joins the following eight attractions under one roof: an UltraStar digital 12-theater multiplex, 24 lanes of state-of-the-art bowling, four dining options ranging from a gourmet grille to an ice-cream and coffee shop, a two-story laser tag arena, and a giant arcade lined with everything from video games to Skee-ball to Formula One driving simulators. And that’s just naming what you can do inside; the complex is also about to open a 1,000-seat outdoor amphitheater for under-the-stars performances by popular music and comedy acts.

AR Mays was contracted in November 2011 to design and build the Ultra-Star Multi-tainment complex and in 12 months the facility was open to the public, hosting its grand opening on Nov. 14, 2012. “We designed, constructed, and purchased everything within this time frame, delivering a turnkey project to the expectations of all community members,” says Adam Mays, president of A.R. Mays. “It was an extraordinary effort performed by extraordinary people, the type of work we truly enjoy.”

The complex’s 24-lane bowling center, called Ten Pins Down, offers tasty dining with servers dashing food and drinks right to the lane. There’s a private VIP section with even cozier creature comforts including a roaring fireplace. And all of the lanes feature special lighting, sound and even fog effects that transport bowling into a whole new realm – one that’s also impossible to put into words. “The concept of glow-in-the-dark bowling is very strong here,” attempts Saks.

Ak-Chin purchased its bowling lanes, pinsetters, scoring/management computer network and other major systems from Brunswick Bowling, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of bowling center equipment. “This development is a one-of-a-kind, world-class entertainment extravaganza,” said Brent Perrier, Brunswick Bowling president. “The owners have distinguished it not only by making the complex so immense, but more importantly, by making sure that every single element that went into it was the finest it could possibly be. So we’re honored that Brunswick bowling equipment was selected for this project – and we’re proud that our products play such an important role in shaping the amazing experience that guests have here.”