What’s better than 35 automatic amusements? Ten times that number — 350. That’s what the City Council is being asked to approve after the Ordinance Committee on Monday voted to recommend action that would end the long-fought effort to keep video arcades out of Brockton. The move to amend the ordinance came at the request of Good Time Emporium, the $25 million family fun center proposed for Campanelli Drive. “The fears some people have are a little off base,” said Ward 1 Councilor Timothy Cruise, one of the favorable votes in the 4-1 decision. He said Good Time will be offering “family-type” games in a “family-type place.” The potential of 700 video games ranging from skill-based to batting cages, was a bit too much for Ward 7 Councilor Christopher MacMillan, who offered an amendment for the 350 cap. Councilor-at-Large Todd Petti expressed concerns about games that depict violence and suggested a rating system. But Good Time owner Dan Hayes said parents have different ideas on what their children should be playing. Hayes had 250 games at Good Time in Somerville before it closed last month. He wants to bring the business in a larger scale to Brockton, fast-tracking city approvals as he prepares to spend $14 million for the 300,000-square-foot Campanelli Drive warehouse where he intends to invest up to $10 million to create a restaurant, sports bar and entertainment center for nearly 2,400 people. The new business is being hailed for ...
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