As we start 2023, we are looking back on a terrific first year of our opening to the public in March. Our members create our successes and help us get through challenges together as a Collective – thank you for all your support this year!
Here are just a few highlights that you helped make possible:
- When 2022 began, the space we now know as the Sanctuary of the Silver Ball was full of medical boxes. There was barely room to walk, much less work. The walls were white and the carpet was a mess. We had no way to be sure how many games would fit comfortably into the space. And honestly, while we believed we had something magical, we had no real certainty that people would show up.
- Over the next two months, members & friends completely transformed that room: we painted, covered the windows, cleaned the carpet (still not perfect), completely re-wired the electrical system (thank you, John McConnell), installed a refrigerator, a stereo & a security system. We had a logo designed & got artwork donated (thank you, Steph Hanlon). And we talked to everyone we knew to lend us games for opening day (thank you, game donors).
- We opened the Collective to the public in March, and hundreds of people came to check out the Sanctuary of the Silver Ball during opening weekend.
- Our collection grew, changed, and expanded over the last nine months, starting with 17 games when we opened and increasing to our current 24 games in the space. So far this year we’ve had more than 2900 games played at the Collective!
- Our most recent additions are Jersey Jack’s Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (LE), which joined the lineup in November, and Bally’s Freedom, which we acquired shortly before Christmas. We’re looking ahead to bringing in new and different machines of all eras in 2023. Check our information on Sharing Your Games if you’re interested in contributing your own game to the Collective!
- Working to fulfill our mission of celebrating, nurturing, and expanding the pinball hobby, in all its forms, through education, service, and community, we’ve hosted a variety of events this year. Here’s just a sampling :
- We sent 22 machines, a booth, a team of volunteers, and brand new merch to the return of the Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show in June. Our space served as a transportation and storage hub numerous machines being lent to the Show, helping to support many collectors participating in a fun weekend.
- In August our games were a hit at Emerald City Comic Con! We brought six machines to be shown and played as an exhibition event during the Con, sharing our Collective with thousands of attendees.
- We’ve hosted dozens of events at the space, including:
- Our Grand Opening weekend in March
- A special summer Pizza Party and tournament for our members
- Special workshops on tech repair and flipper skills
- 30 Open Houses and Free Play opportunities for the public to check out our space
- 16 Tech Tuesday events for our expert volunteer techs to share their skills with others in cleaning, maintaining, and repairing our collection
- 14 tournaments, including our first IFPA recognized tournaments in November and December
- 3 tech seminars & repair parties with local experts (Dave “Dok” Okert, Victor Tan, Bill Witzel)
- When we opened, the vibe was definitely “a room with a bunch of games in it”. Over the course of the year, we’ve worked hard to push it toward “a cool place to hang out”. We’ve expanded the “lounge” space, acquired a unique couch, upgraded the stereo, added a bunch of artwork and made it easier to hang and installed a projector & screen.
We are extremely proud of all we accomplished during our first year, and look forward to continuing to provide a unique space for devotees of the silver ball.
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