The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) — In the heart of Covington’s downtown, the Mountain Rush Community Entertainment Center is ushering in a new era of family fun, community connection, and revitalization. Assistant Pastor Richard Mansell, the visionary behind the project, recently led a tour of the vibrant facility at 410 Main Street, sharing the inspiration, features, and future plans for what is fast becoming a regional destination.
Mansell, who moved to Covington 14 years ago to serve at Calvary Baptist Church, recalls the persistent call for more youth and family activities in the Alleghany Highlands.
“Over the years, working with the youth and my own girls growing up in this area, we saw that there was quite the drought of entertainment,” Mansell said. “We heard, ‘Sure would be nice to have a roller skating rink. Sure would be nice to have an arcade.’ A lot of people had great ideas, but just needed someone to spearhead it.”
After an initial attempt to secure the old Kroger building fell through, Mansell said the project found a new, larger home in the former Peebles Building downtown. The downtown location, he added, is convenient for both neighborhoods and local businesses.
“I believe this location is not only good for the neighborhoods, but also for the other businesses downtown,” Mansell noted.
Since fully opening its doors just over a month ago following a series of soft openings earlier in the year, Mountain Rush has quickly become a community favorite. The center operates Thursday through Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m., and Sunday afternoons from 1 to 5 p.m., with additional options for private reservations, parties, and the facility’s state-of-the-art golf simulator throughout the week.
Inside the Mountain Rush arcade, guests can purchase game cards from a self-service kiosk that grants credits to play dozens of arcade games ranging from classics such as skeet ball and crane games, to high-energy attractions like a punching bag game that snaps a picture of each week’s top scorer. Tickets won during gameplay are stored on the same card and can be redeemed for prizes, with cards remaining valid for a year – a feature that keeps families coming back to build their point totals.
“The fun part is seeing families begin to make this a regular tradition,” Mansell said, highlighting one family that visits weekly and another that comes every other Saturday for virtual reality games. “Our setup encourages people to come back and enjoy time together.”
While the center’s front arcade area is fully operational, much of the back half is still under construction.
Mansell detailed plans for Snookball – a twist on billiards that uses soccer balls – and a golf simulator. A dedicated party room for birthdays and community groups is also in the works, alongside a planned food court featuring an authentic ramen bar, American favorites like pizza and nachos, and a sweet shop. A toddler soft play area is on the horizon and, according to Mansell, will always be free for young children. Upstairs, visitors find the laser tag hangout, which features mobile laser tag systems that can accommodate up to 10 people per team.
“The laser tag isn’t limited to our building,” Mansell added. “We have permission to bring it to parks, events, and birthday parties throughout the city.”
The upper floor also hosts a hangout space with retro arcade games, foosball, and pool tables, as well as the Silver Lounge, a high-end theater with electric recliners and a 110-inch screen.
Guests can bring their own movies or gaming consoles, creating a custom entertainment experience. Mansell is quick to emphasize the community’s enthusiastic response and a willingness to keep expanding.
“We want this to be a place where families and friends make memories together,” he said. As Mountain Rush continues its phased renovations and expands its offerings, Covington residents — and the region — now have a homegrown hub for entertainment, play, and connection.
