There’s no escaping the puzzle room craze – and Banff is no exception.
A development permit application for a change of use was before Banff’s municipal planning commission on May 18 to make way for a puzzle room in the basement of the Wolf and Bear Mall. However, MPC’s decision was not known at press time.
Town officials say escape rooms have grown in popularity over the past 10 years, spreading from Asia to Europe and the United States and Canada and the change of use would make way for an interactive adventure puzzle game in Banff.
“It’s a big phenomenon in a lot of visitor-based communities,” said Darren Enns, the Town of Banff’s senior planner.
“They tend to be in under utilized commercial spaces, and this is a good example of an underutilized basement space.”
An escape room is typically played with a team of four to 10 people. Teams follow a story line and reveal clues by solving puzzles and finding props hidden in a room. Escape rooms often include secret passages, locked safes and coded messages.
Participants usually have a set amount of time to try to solve the room when initial concerns were raised about the healthy and safety of having people locked in rooms.
In Banff’s case, the plan is for more of an interactive adventure puzzle game in the former location of Bow Valley Basics.
“Basically, you play detective,” said Claire Breeze, the businesswoman behind the proposal for Banff. “You look for clues and solve puzzles in rooms to complete your mission.”
Breeze said the plan is four to six players could book a themed room – one is a ‘50s diner called Marv’s Soda Shop and the other is the Warden’s Cabin.
She said there would be two other themed rooms geared towards corporate team building groups. One will be called Predator, the other Prey.
If all goes according to plan, she said, she would like to have the ‘50s diner-themed room open by July 1 and the Warden’s Cabin shortly thereafter.
“Instead of going to the cinema, you could book a puzzle room with friends,” said Breeze.
“Basically, they’re interactive adventure puzzle games – and it’s a fun thing to do on a rainy day.”
The proposed change of use would be from general retail to indoor recreation service for the basement of 229 Bear Street.
Enns said the change of use is consistent with the purpose of the commercial downtown (CD) district and complies with the provisions of Banff’s land use bylaw.
“The proposed development will not create substantial change in intensity of use,” he said, noting there is actually a minor reduction in housing requirements.
“The physical condition of the site will fundamentally remain the same, but includes minor interior leasehold improvements and an improved entrance at the public alleyway façade to affect the property.”
