Saturday, February 27, 2010
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Letters | Opinion | Editorial | Weekend Report |
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A playground for the young and young at heart By Thea Rutherford ~ Guardian National Correspondent thea@nasguard.com:
A son's dream and a father's mission, Mario's Bowling and Entertainment Palace swung open its doors for business last Wednesday with a soft opening that made an undoubted bang.
The Entertainment Palace opened on January 20, the birthday of its late namesake Mario Miller, to reveal 50 sparkling lanes, an arcade of over 100 games, food, drink and the promise of much more.
Owner Leslie Miller estimates a mid-March official opening for the Palace. By then all of its amenities, including a skating rink, ice cream and pizza parlors, a restaurant that seats 300, a lounge and pool tables, will be complete.
"We're very proud of what we were able to accomplish on behalf of not only Mario but of families throughout the length and breadth of The Bahamas," said Miller of a son he thinks about daily. Mario was killed in 2002 at the age of 28. "I would give away all that we have for him to just spend one second here with us," said Miller. The father said that he "went all out" to bring his son's dream of creating a family entertainment center in New Providence to life. "It's a rough experience as a father . . . but you did the best that you can and you hope that people would appreciate what [Mario's] vision was for the young people of the country." The expansive vision — a $12 million, 80,000 square foot playground for the young and young at heart — was erected within 19 months. The finished product, however, is the result of a decade of dreaming. "It took a long time but it was a good time, and we enjoyed every minute of it," said Miller. The plush entertainment center has already begun to attract patrons who pay a $5 cover charge before signing up to bowl or play video games. The facility mixes a number of activity options with several different atmospheres. There is a private, four-lane VIP bowling room and a 16-lane section for parties. Upstairs in the lounge open to patrons 25 years and older, there are four smaller private lounges, including a glittering Diamond Lounge. "I think most Bahamians who enter the place see it as a different world," said Miler. "When you are welcomed to the Palace you're coming home so we treat you like a king and queen," said Greg Wilkinson, assistant director of marketing at Mario's. "We consider everybody a king and queen at the Palace; children are princes and princesses. We encourage family outings, family entertainment — that's what it's all about." Wilkinson stressed that the center is a no smoking, no swearing, non-violent environment. "We cater totally to the family," he said. Open for a wide range of events, from corporate meetings to children's birthday parties, the Palace has already received a number of bookings for events. In the summer Miller hopes to bring in teams from Florida to compete with local skaters and bowlers at the facility. For now, he and his family continue to add the finishing touches to the memorial to their son and brother. "Mario is not here but his spirit is alive," he said. "It is important for us to finish his dream."
Friday January 29, 2010 |
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