A New Virtual Playground Lands in Ottawa’s ByWard Market — Sandbox VR Opens Dec. 19

Ottawa gets a new VR draw as Sandbox VR opens its ByWard Market doors

Sandbox VR is opening a new location in Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market on December 19, the company announced. The release says the venue will bring the company’s “full-body, social virtual reality” games to the city, promising a top-tier immersive experience for groups and visitors. The opening is positioned as a fresh entertainment option for both locals and tourists visiting downtown Ottawa.

What the venue looks and feels like for visitors

The new Sandbox VR space is set up for group play. Guests join teams to take part in multi-player adventures that use motion tracking, haptic feedback vests, and VR headsets so players can walk, aim and feel impacts inside the game world. Sessions are guided by on-site hosts, and the release highlights a mix of scenarios from cooperative quests to action-packed shooter-style missions.

The company describes its experiences as suitable for groups of friends, families and corporate outings. Standard party sizes are built around four to six players, with the venue offering private rooms for full groups and overlapping bookings for staggered arrivals. The floor plan listed in the release suggests several rooms running simultaneously, so the venue can handle a steady flow of guests rather than a single event at a time.

On the tech side, Sandbox VR points to custom-built motion platforms and full-body tracking systems that map a player’s movements into the virtual world. Haptic vests and hand controllers add physical feedback so players feel hits, impacts or environmental effects. The company also mentions safety staff and on-the-floor technicians to help with gear and to make sure experiences run smoothly.

“We’re excited to introduce Ottawans and visitors to a new social entertainment option in ByWard Market,” the company said in its announcement, adding that the venue was designed for both casual guests and VR fans seeking higher-end immersion.

How this spot fits into ByWard Market and what it might mean locally

ByWard Market is one of Ottawa’s busiest tourist and nightlife areas. Adding a multi-room VR venue plugs into that mix by giving people another reason to come earlier in the day and stay later into the evening. The release suggests the venue will boost foot traffic for nearby restaurants and shops, especially on weeknights when family or group outings are common.

Sandbox VR also flagged local hiring tied to the opening. The venue will bring customer-facing roles such as hosts, technicians and managers to the neighbourhood. That could be a modest help for students and part-time workers in the area, and it adds a new option for entertainment-sector employment in a district that already relies heavily on tourism.

From a tourism perspective, the venue gives convention visitors and families a weather-proof activity during Ottawa’s cold months. By situating the space in a central, walkable district, the company is likely betting on walk-in traffic as well as booked groups from the nearby hotels and conference centres.

Where Sandbox VR fits in the brand’s wider story

Sandbox VR has been expanding through major city openings and franchised locations, positioning itself as a higher-end, social alternative to at-home VR sets or arcade-style games. The company’s pitch focuses on shared, cinematic experiences that rely on staff-run rooms and premium equipment, instead of single-player or passive VR offerings.

The release refers to other locations where Sandbox VR operates and frames the Ottawa opening as part of steady growth. It notes expansion into urban entertainment districts as a pattern, though it does not detail ownership changes or recent funding rounds. If you’re tracking the brand’s strategy, this looks like classic roll-out: pick high-footfall neighbourhoods and offer a group experience that restaurants and bars can’t replicate.

When to go, how to book, and what visitors should know

The venue opens on December 19. According to the announcement, bookings will be available through the company’s standard reservation channels; walk-ins may be accepted depending on capacity and scheduling. The company suggests sessions last about an hour from check-in to wrap-up, which includes time to get into gear and a short orientation.

Age and accessibility notes in the release say experiences are meant for teens and adults; specific age limits and safety rules vary by scenario. The venue will provide staff to fit equipment and explain restrictions for players with mobility issues or other concerns. Prices and party-package details were listed in the release in ranges rather than fixed numbers, and the company encouraged guests to check availability before arriving.

At a broader level, the opening reflects how VR has moved from novelty to mainstream social entertainment. Venues like Sandbox VR try to offer something you can only get outside the home: large-scale tracking, staff-managed narratives, and a group energy that keeps people coming back. For Ottawa, it’s a new option in a familiar tourist strip — one that could reshape a few nights out for locals and give visitors a modern indoor activity when the weather turns cold.

Photo: Sound On / Pexels

Sources

• prnewswire.com