View Full Version : Fun park?
Oh GAWD the Smell! 06-21-2007, 10:09 PM Anybody know anything about this? Andy Alligator's Fun Park? It's going up on the NW corner of Indian Hills and I-35. The website shown on the sign is pretty much useless.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/imawingnut/andya.jpg
Since I'm really a 12 year old (that can drink beer), I'm all about pizza and go-carts!
SuperScooper 06-21-2007, 11:46 PM I searched The Norman Transcript - Homepage (http://normantranscript.com) and found this article from early this month.
Published: June 10, 2007 12:00 am
Having a HeyDay
The Norman Transcript
By Tony Pennington
Transcript Staff Writer
It hardly seems possible that a 13,000-square-foot facility could house every idea and concept Brad Little has in store for HeyDay Entertainment Center.
The 42-year-old owner/operator’s hands flew as fast as his words when he described the finished product during a recent walk-through. The two-level, 7,000-square-foot laser tag area, the planned 50 video and redemption games, DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks restaurant and dining room featuring two large screen televisions, all but appeared among the dry wall and exposed metal frame and wiring of the more than 65 percent completed building.
He had yet to get to the 18-hole miniature golf course and large patio sitting beyond the unpainted gray walls. But it wasn’t difficult to understand the vision Little and business partner Trey Bates had in store when they began the development.
“We wanted to provide an upscale, classy entertainment option for the youth, young adults and adults of the Norman and Moore area to have fun,” Little explained among the stacked planks of dry wall in the middle of HeyDay Entertainment Center, 1-35 and Indian Hills Road. “We wanted to recreate a Dave and Busters kind of feel … capture a little bit of Dallas and bring it here to Norman and Moore.”
Little and Bates will discover if they have reached their goal when HeyDay Entertainment Center opens its doors this August. But the two are convinced they have the right mix of games and entertainment options to attract a strong customer base.
“This has been through about three years of development,” Little said. “Moore has never had a mini golf course. Norman has never had laser tag; and neither has had a DoubleDave’s pizza. There is a real level of excitement in the city about what we are doing as far as I can tell. We are a little bit of everything all under one roof.”
The concept of combining multiple strong elements also will extend to HeyDay’s hiring practices. Little said there would be three managers and about 30 part-timers. But the entertainment center is looking for more than just a warm body to regulate a laser tag game. Little wants people who care about their communities and will bring a sense of enthusiasm.
“I want people who are from the Norman and Moore area and are plugged into their community professional and socially,” he said.
That policy is represented in HeyDay’s first employees, Lynann Sterk, 31, entertainment center manager, and Keith Dinwiddie, 36, DoubleDave’s Restaurant manager. Sterk is a former Norman High School teacher and grew up in Norman. Dinwiddie attend school at the University of Oklahoma and has worked professionally in Norman for about a decade.
Both managers viewed HeyDay as a challenge and as a worthwhile project.
“Part of the attraction is getting in on something from the ground up,” Dinwiddie said, who left a post as the assistant manager of the University Club at OU. “I’ve never had this kind of opportunity before. I’m looking forward to working in a fun-filled environment. Who wouldn’t want to be around fun?”
In the classroom, Sterk’s primary function was to meet the needs of her students, but as a Norman’s newest facilitator of fun, she will reach a broader audience.
“It’s a great opportunity to work and serve not only my community but Moore in a larger and different capacity.”
Sterk won’t leave the idea of education behind. HeyDay’s laser tag area is more than a light wave battleground.
“There is an educational program for kids about lasers and lights, and there is the Jeff Janssen program for team building,” she said.
Little said Janssenes program is ideal for business and groups interested in a 2-hour team building exercise. “Championship Team Building” was specifically designed by Janssen to utilize laser tag.
Team building also seems to be a part of Little’s approach to other businesses in the area. Russell and Robbie Allison are constructing Andy Alligator’s Fun Park next door. The 11,000-square-foot park will offer go-carts, miniature golf, bumper boats, a climbing mountain and arcade games.
Little welcomes the idea of having Andy Alligator’s in the neighborhood. He said it will help cement the idea of a vibrant entertainment atmosphere within Norman and Moore.
“I’m all for it,” he said. “They are providing entertainment options we are not. We are interested in developing an entertainment district … similar to the mile of cars concept.”
Both establishments are months away from the first game of laser tag or lap around the race track. There are still a lot of little things to get done. Sterk was dispatched to Buffalo, N.Y., to master laser tag by the folks at LASERTRON, and Dinwiddie will attend DoubleDave’s school of pizza making in Texas. While they will be busy, the anticipation might get the best of Dinwiddie’s daughter Cheyenne, 10.
“She’s excited,” he said. “I think she will be even more excited when she walks in here.”
When she finally bursts through the doors, will it be dad she notices?
“Laser tag,” Dinwiddie said. “She will do anything of a competitive nature.”
Tony Pennington
366-3541
tpennington@normantranscript.com
Oh GAWD the Smell! 06-21-2007, 11:54 PM Sounds like it's geared WAY too much towards children to even be mentioned in the same sentence as a Dave & Buster's.
We need a Dave & Buster's in Bricktown. :(
But I bet I go there anyway...For the pizza. ;)
Thanks for posting that article.
kevinpate 06-22-2007, 05:56 AM Older established places, such as P-Swing out on E Hwy 9 and Celebration Station off I-40 will feel the impact of these new offerings. As folks often said back before it was lights out in the diner time, it is what it is. When you're round like me, go karts are more slow karts, but I wish them the best at both locations.
Oh GAWD the Smell! 06-22-2007, 07:24 AM Older established places, such as P-Swing out on E Hwy 9 and Celebration Station off I-40 will feel the impact of these new offerings. As folks often said back before it was lights out in the diner time, it is what it is. When you're round like me, go karts are more slow karts, but I wish them the best at both locations.
That's when you switch to bumper-cars...Your "bumps" will be a lot meaner with more kinetic energy :D
Been watching the construction of these two places (almost as much as my 2 kids) and can't wait to try them both out!
CuatrodeMayo 06-22-2007, 12:11 PM That's when you switch to bumper-cars...Your "bumps" will be a lot meaner with more kinetic energy :D
If sparks ain't flyin, you ain't tryin.
Oh GAWD the Smell! 06-22-2007, 07:40 PM If kids ain't flyin, you ain't tryin.
Fixed that for you ;)
xpertinfun 06-23-2007, 08:45 AM This is going to be great to have something like this so close to the house. My girls already want to have their birthday parties there and its not even open yet!
Easy180 06-23-2007, 08:49 AM The more stuff in Moore the merrier...I guess I will break down and take my nephews ONCE when it opens
Guess I can spend $40 or $50 on them on an annual basis
I'm just a tremendous freakin award winning uncle
Oh GAWD the Smell! 06-24-2007, 12:53 AM The more stuff in Moore the merrier...I guess I will break down and take my nephews ONCE when it opens
Guess I can spend $40 or $50 on them on an annual basis
I'm just a tremendous freakin award winning uncle
I'm even better...I bought them bicycles and other expensive things a couple of times, and they weren't really all that impressed...But the last couple of years...I buy my sister's kids things like this: Clicky (http://www.amazon.com/Accounts-Rements-Cat-A-Pult/dp/B0006GKJLS/ref=pd_bbs_11/104-3808155-3607164?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1182667789&sr=8-11)
And they go bonkers. They start digging in my bags the moment I arrive there now.
$10 gifts are 1,000 times better than a bicycle when they involve punny toys.
Easy180 06-24-2007, 07:34 AM Those things are cool
Hope you aren't right about the big gifts...Giving my oldest nephew my car in Jan instead of trading it in
Hoping he pays me back 45 years from now and will drop by and feed me some applesauce and bring a brand new package of diapers :053:
Oh GAWD the Smell! 06-24-2007, 08:29 AM Test it out.
Break your legs and ask your sibling for him to help you around the house this summer...See how he handles the chores. :D
Karried 06-24-2007, 08:43 AM LOL .... oh Gawd the Smell.... you crack me up
A car???
Uncle Easy180 .. I think we're long lost relatives!
Easy180 06-24-2007, 08:56 AM Not that impressive karried...Finally shedding my '99 Accord and my brother has 3 kids to support while my disposable income goes to vacations and happy hours
Just hope the nephew who is 14 understands this is a one time thing!
Oh GAWD the Smell! 06-24-2007, 09:00 AM Got that Corvette you've been dreaming of?
Easy180 06-24-2007, 02:01 PM The replacement car in Jan all depends on what kind of job I land in August...Current job ends at the end of July
But lookin at an '06 TSX or something along those lines...Wife said next one needs to be a 4 dr in case we ever get around to adding to the family
Oh GAWD the Smell! 06-24-2007, 02:07 PM I've got a 4 door Chevy that will wax a Mustang GT or tow 6800 pounds.
Probably because I don't have a wife :D
metro 07-02-2007, 12:32 PM There's another thread somewhere on this site that discusses it at length. Not sure if it was posted in the "Moore" thread or not. If you do a search, you might find it. I would but I don't have the time right now.
linze 07-19-2007, 10:06 AM This is wonderful news. I can't wait to see this place up and going. And I sure hope it puts Perfect Swing out of business! That place is soooo filthy and really starting to run down. Just my opinion....
oudirtypop 08-06-2007, 10:52 PM We Need A Driving Range Around Here! I Was Hoping For Andy's To Have It, But I Guess Not...its A Sad Day!
Martin 08-07-2007, 06:17 AM eh? while i'm not the golfing type, i thought there are driving ranges at brookside (i-35 & shields), earlywine (119th & portland), a place at 149th & i-44 and perhaps one at broadmoore (~34th & broadway).
as for perfect swing... is that the one on highway 9? wasn't there a place around 134th & western years ago? was that called 'pitch n putt'?
-M
xd0nn4x 08-16-2007, 02:46 AM I was wondering about this since i pass it all the time! i cant wait, i love laser tag and its pretty close to home, and who cares about celebration station? that place stopped sparking my interest when i turned 13 lol! As an arizona girl i grew up with gameworks, and that was a wonderful arcade plus it was connected to a mall! I cant wait till this opens!!
rugbybrado 08-16-2007, 06:53 AM i drive by it every morning, im sure i will check it out. i wonder if they will serve beer?
Jesseda 09-05-2007, 09:57 AM okay does any body know about heyday lazer tag it is right next to andy alligators, so is there two parks?
Midtowner 09-05-2007, 10:05 AM We need a Dave & Busters.
-- the beer comment made me think that.
Easy180 09-05-2007, 10:52 AM Looks to be two different places...Hey Day also shows an 18 hole miniature golf so that may be the only thing of the two that interests me
Anything that may keep some of the teens from the Warren theatre is good in my book
rugbybrado 09-05-2007, 11:13 AM Looks like a decent dave and busters knock off with locations in texas. Either way i look forward to something new and close to do on the weekends.
HeyDay's DoubleDave's Pizzaworks (http://www.heydayfamilyfun.com/DDZHD.aspx)
CCOKC 09-07-2007, 05:40 PM Speaking of miniature golf, are there any other mini golf places in the Metro. My family and I enjoy it a couple of times a year but I don't know where to go. My son told me there is mini-golf at Incredible Pizza but I prefer to play outside.
Easy180 09-08-2007, 02:10 PM There is a pretty nice course in Edmond just south of 2nd on Bryant...This one sounds like it will be pretty cool as well...Should be a nice addition to the Moore/Norman area
CCOKC 09-10-2007, 05:24 PM Thanks.
xpertinfun 10-12-2007, 12:50 PM Anyone have any reviews of HeyDay? Was thinking about taking the family there this weekend for some putt putt and pizza....Not to big on the laser tag thing though.
craigbanks 10-31-2007, 11:35 AM We have been to Hey Day 2-3 times now and we think it sucks. Some of the games are very old with at least a handful of them not working at any given time. Some of the games do not give you the tickets you won and good luck on finding anyone to help you with getting your tickets. We have not had the pizza there but the salad bar looked very bad. The lettuce was brown and there was not to many choices. We heard the pizza does not taste any better then the frozen pizza you buy at the grocery store. The majority of the space is taken up for laser tag so that leaves little room for games. The only reason we have gone back is because our son likes to play arcade games and this is the only place around us. Takes a very long time for you to redeem your tickets and get a prize. Hope this review helps.
xpertinfun 10-31-2007, 04:56 PM agreed, I took the family there the other day and there was no place to sit to eat when our food was ready! They were busy, But the main reason was the dirty tables that no one had bothered to clean yet.
After asking the manager where we are supposed to eat, He himself went out and started to clean some tables and a couple of employees joined him after about 5 mins. Pepperoni rolls were pretty good, But some of the cheese inside was not cooked to good.
Games were old. Very small and cramped space for the games due to the laser tag. Mini golf was fun, But kind of a boring course for kids.
Overall we were sorely disappointed after having very high hopes for this place. I dont see it lasting very long under their current business model unfortunately.
Maybe there is still hope for Alligator Andys next door? I am sure HeyDay is hoping so.
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