Extreme News

Dallas' newest amusement: A company that lets you play with bulldozers

Maybe this will lead to the field of bulldozer operators becoming, like, a buzzy new vocation.

Photo by Extreme Sandbox

UPDATE: As of October 26, Extreme Sandbox is open to the public by appointment only. Book a reservation for Thursday through Sunday by calling 855-DIG-4-FUN.

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There's a new entertainment option coming to the Dallas area that's perfect for anyone who's watched a laborer operating a bulldozer and thought, "Boy, that looks like fun."

Called Extreme Sandbox, it's described as a heavy-equipment adventure company, and will open a location at The Station in Sachse, a mixed-use center being developed by PMB Capital Investments, a privately-held real estate investment and development company based in Dallas.

A release says that it'll open in September.

Extreme Sandbox is an adventure attraction that lets you fulfill your "dream" of operating construction equipment, including excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, and mini excavators. It's framed as a bucket list item or for corporate events, with prices that start at $195 for a single person, with 20-30 minutes instruction, and 30 minutes equipment use on choice of excavator, bulldozer, or wheel loader. If you want to try all three, it's $895.

The Sachse facility will comprise 10 acres. Guests can "golf" with an excavator or crush a car (for a $500 surcharge).

They currently have a location in Minnesota and had a location in Pottsboro, which is relocating to Sachse. The company is based in Hastings, Minnesota, and attracted attention after a 2016 appearance on Shark Tank, says CEO and founder Randy Stenger.

"We look forward to bringing this exciting outdoor activity to the district and expect to benefit from the strong corporate presence in Dallas and surrounding areas," Stenger says. "Where else can you play with a 26-ton excavator for fun?"

Nowhere, because maybe nobody is dumb enough, except maybe Texas.

Guests can operate equipment such as Komatsu excavators, bulldozers, and wheel loaders, under the supervision of instructors. Wow, way to ruin the party.

The company also offers heavy-equipment training for those pursuing a career in the construction trades. OK that part is useful.

The Station is currently under construction. Anchored by Heritage Park, it'll span 134 acres with 1,000+ new residences, including a community of 225 single-family homes, townhomes, and multifamily offerings, plus an urban-style residential project called The Linz at The Station, plus 400,000 commercial, office, restaurant, retail space and 36 acres of public parks and open space.

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This week's hot headlines

Deep Ellum bar's closure leads this week's 5 most-read Dallas stories

On Premise

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Editor's note: Two big closures rocked the Dallas restaurant and bar scene this week. There was also an intriguing home for sale on Dallas' ritziest road, a new barbecue joint with an unusual focus, and more. Here's a look back at the top stories of the week. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Those are here.

1. Dallas bar closes after surviving a decade in Deep Ellum. A Dallas bar that opened 10 years ago in Deep Ellum has closed its doors: On Premise, which rode a decade-long wave in the often-turbulent neighborhood, closed on October 31.

2. Authentic upscale Mexican restaurant at Turtle Creek Dallas closes. In major bummer Dallas restaurant news, authentic Mexican restaurant Jalisco Norte has closed: The upscale restaurant and bar at Turtle Creek Village clocked out after seven years.

3. Dallas and Austin are facing the same kind of housing issues. The state’s housing crisis is effectively a new problem for state and local leaders — mainly because, for the longest time, Texas used to be cheap. "YIMBY" activists in Dallas have pushed local leaders, with mixed results, to embrace the idea that the country’s ninth-largest city should make it easier to build homes besides standalone single-family homes on large lots and big apartment buildings.

4. 50s Dallas home for sale on swanky Strait Lane still has pink bathroom. A house on Dallas' Strait Lane that is possibly home to the last '50s-era pink bathroom on the tony thoroughfare is up for sale. The bathroom's days are probably numbered — but maybe in this one case, it's not a bad thing.

5. Barbecue spot Kafi BBQ coming to Irving will be smoking halal Wagyu. A barbecue restaurant with an unusual focus is coming to Irving: Kafi BBQ, which specializes in halal Wagyu beef, will open at 8140 N. MacArthur Blvd. #100, Valley Ranch, in the former Rafikiz Bar and Grill.