Montville — With the opening of the nation's largest indoor, multi-level go-kart racetrack only days away, officials who got a chance to tour the 110,000-square-foot facility off Route 85 on Thursday said they believe the attraction will add a new dimension to the region's tourism options.

"Where else can you go to hear Kiss in concert, visit the largest indoor go-kart track and visit world-class restaurants," said Mayor Ronald McDaniel, referring to the new facility as well as entertainment options at the nearby Mohegan Sun casino.

The NasKart Indoor Kart Racing & Trampoline Park, a $7 million facility on Sachatello Industrial Drive in Oakdale, is expected to open later this month, though no specific date has been set. The two side-by-side, quarter-mile tracks appear complete, but an upstairs trampoline area still is under construction.

Officials who got a sneak preview of the track after a ribbon cutting had an opportunity to drive zippy little electric cars that reach top speeds of 45 mph, though some are rated at lower speeds. 

Officials also witnessed a couple of blackouts, as the racing facility's electrical system appeared overburdened at times.

This is an issue that still needs to be worked out, NasKart LLC's sales and marketing manager Rachel Hannas acknowledged, along with a still-to-be-issued certificate of occupancy. But she said the region appears excited by the opening just as the dull days of winter are about to arrive, and she has fielded calls from all over — Canada, the West Coast and even Ireland.

"I think this is an incredible arena," said Linda Phillips, who runs the nearby Nature's Art Village and the Dinosaur Place attraction that will be adding a miniature golf course next year. "It's definitely going to help everyone in the area ... hotels, restaurants, gas stations."

Up to 16 racers at one time can use each of the 20-foot-wide tracks, whose plastic edges minimize problems with occasional wayward drivers. In between races, the surprisingly quiet cars — 70 in total — need a few minutes to recharge before they are back on their way.

Depending on a car's speed, drivers wore helmets or went without protection, and the electric vehicles were easy to operate, with the right foot controlling speed and the left used for braking.

"It's an adrenaline rush," Hannas said.

Virtually the only noise was the squeaking of tires as some of the faster cars took tight turns.

"It's something unique," said state Rep. Mike France, R-Ledyard. "It's something not offered anywhere else."

State Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, in a speech before the ribbon cutting, noted that the go-kart arena and a nearby indoor sports complex would not have been possible without regional cooperation. A water project that Waterford and East Lyme worked on together allowed for the ability to deliver fire protection to the area, he said.

"We are racing to meet our business needs ... to have a better Connecticut," joked state Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague.

It's unclear at this point what the facility's hours will be, but it appears winter hours will start in the afternoon on weekdays and go virtually all day on weekends, Hannas said. Drivers must be at least 4 feet tall.

She said the facility will start booking birthday parties after Jan. 1, and leagues featuring competitive racing would likely not begin until February. The two tracks are likely to be combined into one larger circuit at least one day a week, she added, to give a longer ride.

A brochure handed out during the event included the option to rent the entire facility at $4,950 an hour and decal sponsorships placed on the go-karts for $5,000 a year. Banners advertising businesses are being sold for up to $2,100 a year, and corporate memberships go for $7,995.

Previously, Hannas had given the price of an individual ride around the track at about $20.

"It's a new concept," said Dan Fawcett, one of the NasKart co-owners who also is part-owner of nearby Wide World of Indoor Sports. "We're taking a big shot."

The cavernous go-kart area is paired in the same building with an 8,000-square-foot trampoline park, high-end bar, food service and viewing areas. The facility is expected to employ more than 100 people.

"This is a Class A space," said Stephen Tagliatela, owner of the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa in Old Saybrook, who already is linking his webite to the go-kart website. "This will not only bring visitors to the region but it will be an attraction for residents as well."

Sheri Cote, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, said residents, especially those with children, need another option for entertainment now that Chuck E. Cheese's restaurant in New London has closed.

"We don't have enough for kids to do in this region," said Cote, whose 16-year-old son is looking forward to the go-kart track's opening. "We need a variety of things for people to do with their children."

Even chamber officials in Mystic hailed the addition of another attraction in southeastern Connecticut. Though he didn't attend Thursday's festivities, Stephen J. Clemente, chairman of the board of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, said such attractions are a "net positive" in an area that counts on "niche attractions" to compete with bigger metropolitan areas.

"We're not a mainstream destination," Clemente said. "We need to focus on things that make us different."

l.howard@theday.com