Chaos Erupts at Crossroads Mall's New Zap Zone XL Entertainment Complex

Reports of fights, broken equipment, and unsanitary conditions raise concerns about the new attraction's management and safety

Feb. 23, 2026 at 10:03am

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Zap Zone XL, a massive new entertainment complex featuring bowling, laser tag, and other attractions, has recently opened inside the former Sears at Crossroads Mall in Portage, Michigan. However, the grand opening has been marred by reports of fights breaking out, particularly among unsupervised children late at night, as well as issues with broken-down equipment, poor maintenance, and unsanitary conditions throughout the facility.

Why it matters

The problems at Zap Zone XL raise concerns about the venue's ability to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for families and other patrons. As a major new attraction at Crossroads Mall, the complex's issues could impact the mall's overall reputation and foot traffic, as well as the broader entertainment options available to the Kalamazoo-area community.

The details

According to reports, Zap Zone XL acquired the former Sears space at Crossroads Mall in 2024 for nearly $3 million and transformed the 100,000-square-foot area into an entertainment hub with bowling, laser tag, axe-throwing, bumper cars, go-karts, and more. However, just one week after the grand opening, the venue is already facing backlash from patrons who have encountered fights, broken-down equipment, and unsanitary conditions.

  • Zap Zone XL acquired the former Sears space at Crossroads Mall in 2024.
  • Zap Zone XL had its grand opening one week ago.

The players

Zap Zone XL

A new entertainment complex that recently opened inside the former Sears at Crossroads Mall in Portage, Michigan, offering a variety of attractions like bowling, laser tag, and go-karts.

Crossroads Mall

A shopping mall located in Portage, Michigan, where the new Zap Zone XL entertainment complex has opened.

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What they’re saying

“Can't take y'all kids nowhere. Fighting already! I just wanted to have a little fun after 9:30 (my bedtime) for once.”

— Anonymous Facebook user

“The skating rink had holes in the floor, there was duct tape on the benches and chairs, the bumper cars and go karts kept breaking down, the pixel floor is the size of a small bedroom, definitely not what we saw online. The mini golf the balls kept getting caught in the tunnels, half the games were not working, and half were old and broken down. The escalator was broke you had to walk up and down the stairs to go from place to place. The bathrooms were disgusting. Half of the staff are just standing around, not doing anything.”

— Anonymous Facebook user

What’s next

Zap Zone XL's management has not yet commented on the issues, but local authorities and the Crossroads Mall administration may need to get involved to address the safety and maintenance concerns raised by patrons.

The takeaway

The problems at Zap Zone XL highlight the challenges of operating a large-scale entertainment complex, especially one located within a shopping mall. The venue's inability to maintain a safe, well-functioning, and clean environment for its patrons could jeopardize its long-term success and the overall reputation of Crossroads Mall.