Treasure Island opens at Minot

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katie Booher
  • 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFPN) --  The winds can howl up to 50 mph and temperatures can drop to negative digits outside, but people here can find an island oasis inside now that the Treasure Island indoor fun park opened here Dec. 23.

The indoor retreat includes two softball and one fast-pitch batting cages and a nine-hole miniature golf course, skating park and five-station climbing wall, said Shane Larson, 5th Services Squadron outdoor recreation director.

“We wanted people to come out of the harsh weather and into a tropical experience -- something to take them away from the snow. This truly is a world-class facility,” said Lt. Col. Robert Marasco, 5th SVS commander.

The climbing wall is 20 feet high by 9 feet wide and features a system to allow novice and experienced climbers to safely lower themselves off the wall.

“You don’t have to go through any classes to use it,” Mr. Larson said. “The recreation aides will make sure you’re hooked in the harness and rope properly. There’s no age restriction because we’re using all different size harnesses, but anyone under the age of 12 has to be accompanied by an adult.”