Castle Fun Center in Chester, NY Finally Reopening

It'll have limited capacity , but will be OPEN!

Each day it seem like we get some more good news when it comes to things getting back to some sort of normal. Lots of restrictions are being lifted, or at least increased for restaurants and entertainment places and that includes one of our favorite fun centers.

The Castle Fun Center located right off of Route 17 in Chester is set to open it's doors once again on Friday March 26th according to the the Times Herald Record. The fun center has been closed since March of 2020 due to COVID-19 and owner Brian Leentjes told the Record that he's excited to welcome customers back after months of frustration, so much frustration that he entertained numerous offers to sell the property back in September, but has decided to keep the business. He said, "We're going to come back strong, we're going to be back better than ever."

Reopening day, March 26th, is the first day the the state of New York will allow indoor family entertainment centers to resume business at 25% capacity only if they have specific COVID-19 precautions in place. Those precautions include, all employees and customers have to wear masks, and maintain social distancing. Each business is also required to take every customers temperature and get their contact-tracing information before they will be allowed to enter. All businesses must install enhanced air filters for any indoor areas as well.

If you've never been, the Castle Fun Center has fun for everyone inside and out with go-karts, rides, laser tag, a zip line, miniature golf, and a bunch more. It also provides a lot of local jobs for the area as they normally employs about 120 full and part time employees in the summer. Leenjes told the Record that he plans to have nearly a full staff this summer, even if the capacity restrictions stay in place, because they'll need additional help to take temperatures of guests and comply with other conditions.