Badge of Awesome Communities invites you to share your favourite things to see and do in cool destinations around the world. We caught up with Chris Hall from The Portal Winnipeg — one of our featured attractions from Winnipeg — to learn about what they have to offer.

What makes the Portal Winnipeg awesome?

Chris: There are a number of reasons why The Portal is awesome. For starters, we were the first VR arcade in Manitoba, and the fourth to open in Canada. We average 4.5–5 stars on Facebook, Google and Trip Advisor. We also have two mobile VR experiences available.

We capitalise on the social aspect of VR Gaming. While one person plays, the rest of the group gets to watch from the comfort of our sofas where they can view and hear the action via our big screens. Many of our customers find watching VR more fun than actually playing themselves. 

My staff and I provide a fully hosted experience. We help customers in and out of the headsets, clean between users, help customers choose what to play, give them tips and tricks, keep them safe — and of course provide high fives after incredible displays of VR prowess! 

We also have a liquor licence to augment the social emphasis, sourcing Manitoban products where possible.

Finally, we support local community groups, offering discount rates for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Winnipeg, The Spense Neighborhood Association, St Amant, GROW, The Children’s Hospital, and more. I actively recruit staff from minority groups or the disabled. My most recent staff member is legally blind, having been recruited through the CNIB.

Visit The Portal Winnipeg website for more information and to book your VR experience today! And be sure to mention Badge of Awesome when asked how you heard about The Portal.