Haunted house offers chills, thrills

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This article was published 17/10/2024 (448 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you’re looking for ghost encounters to frighten the mind, you’ll find them at the haunted house at 1610 Byng Ave. in Brandon tonight, Friday and Saturday nights, with more after-dark scares brewing for next week.

Deep inside the greenhouse at Livingstone Landscaping are half a dozen rooms and a long hallway created to startle the strong and terrify the timid, says Tracy Williams, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Westman, the non-profit that created the eerie experience in the city’s north end.

“Lots of spiders and lots of body parts,” Williams said, adding she doesn’t want to give too much away, so that people can see the spooky surprises for themselves.

During a haunted-open-house sneak peek Wednesday evening, the Sun and other local media outlets were allowed inside before the doors officially opened — and then closed — with a slam.

The haunted house is dark with spooky music and a fog machine for effect. Drapes separate the different rooms, each with a different theme. It took about 25 minutes to go through — at least that’s what the brave lived to tell.

But it was great fun and just enough scares to keep you on your toes and laughing at yourself for jumping — for no particular reason, except anticipation.

And that’s exactly the reaction that Williams said she is hoping for.

“From what we’re hearing, we can tell that the community is really excited,” said Williams, “and probably because we didn’t have the haunted house last year. But we’re expecting 2,000 to 2,500 people to go through tonight, this weekend and next Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.”

The haunted house is open from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is $7 for kids aged 12 and under — they’ll also receive a free candy bag. And for those 13 years of age and older, it costs $10 to get in.

Williams said that each night from 6 to 7 p.m. there will be a “no-scare hour for little kids. You still go through the same haunted house, it’s just — you know — geared for the younger ones, and for chickens like me,” she said as she laughed.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Westman didn’t have a haunted house last year. They had trouble finding a suitable spot, said Williams, so when Livingstone Landscaping offered its greenhouse, she was thrilled, adding “it’s the perfect space.”

“I’m amazed at some of the creativity and the work that our volunteers have put in,” said Williams. “We probably have 30 to 35 volunteers every night. We have our board members, students from Brandon University, and youth groups from various churches. And some who have been doing this for years say this setup is the best they’ve seen.

“So, this is huge for us, and we have to make this year the best one yet.”

The haunted house provides more than just goosebumps, it is one of the non-profit’s major fundraisers of the year. At least 50 per cent of the budget comes from donations, Williams said, and hopes people will take advantage of WestJet raffle.

Through its Cares for Kids program, WestJet has donated a draw prize of one round-trip flight for two, to any of its regularly scheduled destinations. Tickets can be purchased at the haunted house, with one for $5, three for $10, and five for $20. The draw will be made on the final night of the haunted house, Oct. 26.

While Williams said she is looking forward to the expected crowds to fill the hallowed halls, her mission has to do with making Westman the “biggest and best Big Brothers Big Sisters across Canada.”

“But we have more than 30 kids on our wait list right now, so we really need mentors — school and community mentors.”

Many people have the misconception that the young people come from impoverished families, Williams said.

“It’s not like that at all. Many years ago, I was a single parent, and my son had a big brother — a school mentor, and he gave my son that male influence that we didn’t have at home because it was just me, and it was very positive for him. He’s 28 now with a family of his own and you know, I think they still connect every now and then,” said Williams.

To be a mentor, the time commitment is about an hour a week and can include going to the movies, basketball games, playing video games, or swimming for either a six- to 12-year-old, or a teenager — from 13 to 17 years of age.

The process to sign up includes filling out an application form with three references, a criminal record check, an interview and orientation and child safety training.

One of Big Brothers Big Sisters corporate supporters is Cenovus, said Williams. The company has donated tickets to 28 Brandon Wheat Kings games for a “big and a little” to sit in its loge box including concessions.

Loge suites are a new addition to Westoba Place and are areas of semi-private premium seating with in-suite service.

“It’s really important for the community to try to empower youth for the next generation,” Williams said, “being a big brother or big sister changes kids’ lives. It gives them the secure male or female guidance, self-confidence, self-esteem, and prevention from being scammed.”

Along with the entry fee for the haunted house, donations are being accepted for Big Brothers Big Sisters Westman, as well as non-perishable food items for BU’s Campus Cupboard food bank.

“And we’ll also have a food truck parked outside; it’s going to be a lot of fun. And feel free to dress up and come on in.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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