REGINA — When Solomon and Temi Adewole packed up their lives in Nigeria and moved their family to Regina, they weren't simply chasing a business opportunity. They were investing in a community they now proudly call home.
Their dream became Another World VR, Regina's first free-roaming virtual reality arena, a family-run business designed to give people of all ages a new way to connect, celebrate and create lasting memories. The attraction features a nearly 1,300-square-foot wireless virtual reality arena where groups can walk, run and play together, along with party rooms, family games and spaces for birthdays, youth groups and corporate team-building events.
For Solomon, the mission has always been bigger than technology.
"Why I'm starting this business is just to create additional adventure and entertainment vibe for our city," he said. "We want something that all families can be part of. Kids, no matter your age, the old, no matter your age can be part of it. We want to create a safe and entertaining environment. That is the vision, to add value to our city, Regina, and boost the entertainment business."
After arriving in Saskatchewan, Solomon noticed Regina already had many great entertainment options, but believed there was room for something different.
"We don't have anything with this kind of free-roaming virtual reality," he said. "We are the first and only in Regina."
That willingness to bring new ideas to the city is exactly what the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce says helps communities grow.
"A thriving city isn't just about industry, businesses and infrastructure," said Chamber CEO Mike Tate. "It's really about what people do when they're not at work. That's what creates community."
Tate says entertainment businesses often have a much bigger impact than many people realize.
"When Regina has more to offer in terms of entertainment experiences, things to do at night and opportunities for families, it becomes a more attractive place to live and honestly build a career and build a life."
He says those businesses help attract new residents, encourage talented people to stay, create jobs and generate spending that benefits neighbouring businesses.
"There's nothing but a positive spinoff to new business," Tate said. "The more people that go to a new business, the more opportunity there is to support other businesses at the same time."
For the Adewoles, opening Another World VR is also about giving back to the city that welcomed them.
"We relocated to Canada, we love it, we are enjoying it," Solomon said. "That is why we are trying to create something that boosts the business environment of Regina and Canada at large."
Temi says entertaining people has always been part of their family's identity.
"This is a family business," she said. "We have been in business for 16 years. Our business is entertainment. We like to be among people enjoying themselves, making life, and we're so happy that we are here in Regina to do this again."
The couple says customer feedback since opening has been overwhelmingly positive.
"Being Regina's first and only free-roaming VR experience has generated a lot of excitement," Solomon said. "Our biggest challenge at this stage is awareness. Many residents, organizations, schools and corporate groups still don't know Regina has a free-roaming VR arena."
Interest has already been strong from families, birthday parties, youth groups and businesses looking for team-building activities, giving the owners confidence that awareness will continue to drive growth.
For Tate, stories like the Adewoles' demonstrate why supporting new entrepreneurs matters.
"When someone moves to the city and starts a business and makes Regina home, that's not just an economic win, that's a community win," he said. "Entertainment, hospitality and experience-based businesses are critical. They contribute to the vitality of our city. They give people reasons to stay in Regina rather than travel elsewhere for leisure, spend their money here, and that matters for the broader economic competitiveness of our city."
The Adewoles hope their business becomes more than a place to play games. They want it to become a place where families gather, friendships grow and new memories are made.
"We are here to entertain you," Solomon said. "We are here to make you happy. We are here to make you feel at home. We want to see you soon. We want you to have fun. We want you to be entertained. We hope you will love it."
