Leisure, Entertainment & Recreation Project Experience

Following is a brief summary of the White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group's representative leisure projects. Due to the confidential nature of our assignments, full names, locations and details cannot be disclosed for all projects.

Fortune Bay Resort & Casino, Tower, Minnesota

WHLLG has been retained by this popular northern Minnesota Indian owned casino to conduct a feasibility study on development of a family entertainment center.

Paradise Park, Lee's Summit, Missouri

Putter's Paradise, a 10-year old family entertainment center located in Lee's Summit, Missouri, a suburb of Kansas City, will undergo a major US$6.0 million expansion and feature Kansas City's 1st children's edutainment center. The White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group of Kansas City, Missouri has completed design of the facility and construction is currently underway for an April 2003 opening. The center will be renamed Paradise Park to both retain its existing name recognition and reputation in the community and to better reflect its new mix of attractions and events. (Click here to learn more...)

Silverlake Family Recreation Center, Erlanger, Kentucky (metro Cincinnati)

The new owners of this 70,000 square foot indoor aquatic, fitness, basketball, volleyball and children's gymnastics facility retained WHLLG for a comprehensive evaluation and feasibility study to upgrade, renovate and expand the center with outdoor leisure aquatics, additional recreation events, and family and children's entertainment and edutainment attractions. Based upon the findings from both membership surveys and the market feasibility study, work has begun on developing preliminary plans, cost estimates and pro forma financial projections. The plan will integrate the center into a community campus setting that incorporates Erlanger's new library and the Silverlake park.

York, Pennsylvania FEC

WHLLG recently completed a market feasibility study and is preparing preliminary plans and assisting client with lease negotiations for a 31,000 sf FEC to be located in an enclosed mall.

All 4 Fun Family Entertainment Center, Dodge City, Kansas

Conducted market feasibility study and developed mix and preliminary plans for this indoor-outdoor family entertainment center operating is a smaller market.

Regina, Canada

Completed preliminary market feasibility evaluation and site selection for an indoor/outdoor children's edutainment center.

Johnny's Toys, Covington, Kentucky

WHLLG conducted the feasibility study, completed design plans and assisted owner with equipment procurement for a 9,000 sf indoor, 20,000 sf outdoor children's edutainment center that has been incorporated into Johnny's Toys new 45,000 toy store. The center is named Totter's Otterville.

Sana'a, Yemen; Yemen Trade Center

The owners of the Sana'a Trade Center, the only modern mixed-use retail, office and apartment project in Sana'a, Yemen, have retained WHLLG to conduct a feasibility study and develop designs for a three-story, 45,000 sf addition to the Trade Center which will include a family entertainment center, a celebration/hospitality hall, two cafes, a restaurant and an outdoor plaza and children's adventure play garden.

Niagara Falls, Canada

HOCO Limited retained WHLLG to evaluate feasibility and design plans for a new 65,000 square foot indoor FEC which will be located in the popular Clifton Hill tourist area of Niagara Falls, Canada.

Davis' MegaMaze, Sterling, Massachusetts

WHLLG has an on-going relationship each year to serve as design and management consultants to this popular New England attraction.

LouLou Al Dugong's, Dubai, U.A.E.

WHLLG designed and produced this 25,000 sf, $3.1 million children's edutainment center that opened May 22, 2000 in Lamcy Plaza, one of the world's largest department stores. WHLLG developed a culturally-based theme for the center that embraces the multi-ethnic composition of the population, the area's heritage as both an Arab culture and an international trading port and local children's environmental values. The center's storyline is about a mascot character named "LouLou al Dugong" (Pearl of the Sea Cows) after the endangered Persian Gulf dugongs (related to manatees) and the city's pearl diving heritage. WHLLG's work included all aspects of design, production and management, including screening and training staff. Click here for more information.

Brunswick, Maine Naval Air Station FEC

WHLLG recently completed design of the U.S. Navy's first family entertainment center to be constructed at the Brunswick, Maine Naval Air Station. The center will contain over 20,000 sf and include bowling, a children's entertainment area, a food court, games and a multi-purpose area. Outdoors there will be a zero-depth water playground and two dry playground areas. The center will open in the fall of 2001. Click here for more information.

Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn and Lodge, Michigan

The owners of this popular destination 1.5 hours north of Detroit have selected WHLLG to integrate entertainment into their new River Place project, a 90,000 sf European-styled retail village. Frankenmuth currently enjoys over 1.5 million annual visitors. WHLLG is currently designing a themed restaurant and 35,000 sf family entertainment center for the project, in addition to advising the owners on additional entertainment components for their existing restaurant that serves over 5,000 white table cloth meals on a busy day, and the 354 room lodge that includes a large multi-pool family fun center.

Badajoz, Spain Family Leisure and Discovery Park

This 23 acre project will include an indoor and outdoor FEC, a children's edutainment center with an adventure play garden, a destination restaurant and party center, a lake and a full scale water park. WHLLG has completed feasibility and preliminary design for the project.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

WHLLG conducted a evaluation of a proposed site of a large indoor/out door FEC in this 17 million population Latin American capital city. WHLLG concluded the site was unacceptable and recommended the center developer cancel their option. The developer is currently negotiating for a better location.

NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Florida

WHLLG completed a family friendly audit of the Visitor Complex and made recommendations for renovations and additions to improve its friendliness and appeal to families with younger children.

Happy Hampton, Hampton Beach, NH

WHLLG is currently working with this established 11,000 square foot boardwalk game facility to develop plans to expand it to 40,000 square feet as a year round visitor and resident family entertainment attractions.

FEC, Greater Washington, DC area

We are currently working with a client on development of a 70,000 sf indoor, 1.2 acre outdoor family entertainment center which will feature bowling as one of its anchor attractions.

Bonkers, Peabody, Massachusetts

The new owners of this 25,000 sf family entertainment center have retained WHLLG to assist them with renovation and expansion design.

Qatar, Children's Leisure, Learning & Cultural Center

WHLLG completed a market and financial feasibility study, cultural studies and concept plans for this Gulf state's first children's leisure, learning and cultural center. Unlike conventional Western family or children's entertainment centers, the center is planned to include more than just entertainment. Learning through play, scheduled workshops and discovery experiences, traditional artisans, artists and cultural events, and a model day care facility are planned as an integral part of the center's mix.

XPlosion Family Leisure & Learning Center, Puerto Rico

WHLLG has been selected to assist with the design of this new 280,000 square foot indoor/14 acre outdoor FEC type center. The center will include upgrading and expansion of an existing waterpark, ice and roller rinks, bowling, an indoor FEC with multiple anchors, a children's edutainment center, a children's learning center, an adult entertainment center, iWERKS theater, baseball training center and outdoor attractions. WHLLG has completed market and financial feasibility studies and concept plans.

Themed Village and Theme Park, North Central USA

The developers of this $90 million planned themed village and theme park attraction have selected WHLLG to evaluate their preliminary concepts and feasibility study.

StarTime FEC, Atlanta, Georgia

This 77,000 square foot, 10 screen cinema and indoor and outdoor FEC complex is being constructed in the Roswell area of Atlanta. StarTime Cinemas retained WHLLG to develop a concept plan for a children's edutainment and birthday party area to be called Oakie Dokie's Rainbow Hollow™ and to evaluate outdoor opportunities for children's entertainment and play.

Colossal Cave Mountain Park, Vail, Arizona

WHLLG was retained for strategic and master planning for expansion of this 5,000 acre park and tourist attraction with a nature- and historic-based interpretive museum and interactive learning center to educate children and their families about preservation of the Arizona ecosystem, including the history and practice of environmentally responsible ranching.

Pizza Hut prototype restaurant

Pizza Hut is evaluating development of a new prototype restaurant that will more strongly target families with children. Pizza Hut has retained WHLLG to assist them with the design of the restaurant. Work includes an audit of the earlier generation prototypes and development of design and operational recommendations to make the facilities more family and children friendly, design of a children's play area, design of the dining room areas to make them friendly to families and overall design recommendation to increase the appeal to families while maintaining the restaurants' broader market appeal.

Funderland, Foothills Mall, Tucson, Arizona

The owners of this totally renovated upscale outlet and entertainment mall retained WHLLG to design a 4,000 square foot children's play area for the central food court. The play area, named Funderland, will include five different types of interactive hands-on play for children between the ages of 3 months and 10 years and will be free to the public.

Brown's Berry Patch, Waterport, New York

Our newest agri-tainment client. Over the years, Brown's has grown from a pick-your-own berry farm and orchard to a major farm market featuring ice cream, subs and a gift shop. WHLLG is assisting Brown's in developing expansion plans that will include an admission farm oriented children's play area, miniature golf, a maze, birthday parties and a BBQ center.

Denver, Colorado FEC

WHLLG completed a market feasibility study and mix recommendations for a 50,000 square foot indoor FEC that will be developed in conjunction with two indoor ice rinks, a driving range, a nine-hole golf course and a miniature golf course.

Leawood City Park South; Greater Kansas City Area

WHLLG was retained as a consultant to assist with the master plan for a new park that will include a nature-learning area for children.

Lion Country Safari; West Palm Beach, Florida

The country's oldest drive-through animal park features over 1200 wild animals roaming free in a natural wildlife preserve. A second area of the park is the walk-through Safari World that includes rides, a petting zoo, restaurants and gift shops. The owners of Lion Country have retained WHLLG to conduct a feasibility study and prepare a concept plan for a $5 million renovation and expansion of Safari World.

Worcester Outlet Commons; Worcester, Massachusetts

The owners of this outlet center retained WHLLG to develop strategies to add destination entertainment components to the mall's mix.

Malibu Entertainment Worldwide

In 1996, The Hampstead Group, the new investors in the Mountasia/Malibu Grand Prix chain of 46 outdoor FECs, retained WHLLG for evaluations, market research and strategic planning for development of a new FEC prototype targeted to a narrower niche market than the existing centers. Three of the new prototypes called Malibu SpeedZone have now been built. They are targeted to young adults and feature four racing experiences: drag racing, competitive Grand Prix racing, slick track and go-karts; miniature golf and a 21,000 s.f. clubhouse. In 1997, Hampstead retained WHLLG to conduct evaluations of the new prototype and recommend improvements for the second generation of centers.

Kids First; Cincinnati, Ohio

The owners of the existing Queen City Gymnastics, a children's gymnastics center, are developing a new 85,000 square foot children's center called Kids First that will include gymnastics, soccer, basketball and an indoor/outdoor children's edutainment center. WHLLG assisted the owner with space and site planning for the entire facility and the design of the edutainment center, including its outdoor adventure play garden.

Bamboola™; San Jose, California

WHLLG was the designer/producer and consultant for this new 28,000 s.f. children's edutainment center that opened in June 1997 to rave press reviews as the most child and parent friendly center in America. In early 1995 WHLLG completed feasibility and concept plans that led to the center's successful equity funding. WHLLG developed and designed many innovative features including an outdoor children's adventure play garden with a dinosaur dig, interactive cooking, grandmother's attic, a pretend play village with a tree house, interactive water play and five age-appropriate art studios. Bamboola won the 1998 Newsmaker Award for the best new family entertainment center. Click here for more information.

Bethpage, Long Island, New York

WHLLG completed a market feasibility study and mix recommendations for development of a 240,000 square foot indoor family entertainment center in a former aircraft manufacturing facility.

Adult Entertainment Center; Caracas, Venezuela

The owners of Dinotropolis retained WHLLG to develop concept plans and development recommendations for a 55,000 square foot adult entertainment center to be developed in an existing shopping mall.

South Carolina FEC

WHLLG prepared a master plan for development of a 40-acre indoor/outdoor FEC in South Carolina.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana FEC

The developers of a new FEC to be built in Baton Rouge selected WHLLG as the designer, producer and consultant for the project. WHLLG has completed the initial market feasibility study and is assisting the owners with site selection.

Wol-Ha renovations; Cancun, Mexico

The owners of Wol-Ha, which WHLLG designed in 1994, retained the company to design renovations to the children's area which will be completed in September 1997.

Bowling Center remodel; New York area

The owners of an existing 48-lane bowling center retained WHLLG to complete a market feasibility study and mix recommendations for renovation of half the bowling center building and additional land outside as an indoor/outdoor FEC and bowling center.

Rabat-Sale, Morocco, North Africa

WHLLG conducted the market feasibility study and prepared a concept plan and cost estimate for a new children's leisure & discovery center in Rabat-Sale, Morocco. It will be that country's first family entertainment center. The project will target children between 2 and 9 accompanied by their parents.

Greater New York Area Urban FEC

WHLLG completed a feasibility study and strategic concept plan for development of an urban-based 150,000 square foot family entertainment and leisure center.

Northeast United States

Completed market feasibility study and mix recommendations for conversion of an existing bowling alley into an indoor-outdoor FEC and bowling complex.

Sports Plus; Long Island, New York

This 170,000 square foot indoor FEC opened in September 1996 and includes 32 lanes of bowling, an events center and an ice skating rink. WHLLG is assisting the owner with post-opening evaluations and renovation recommendations and plans.

Alpine Autobahn; Ft. Collins, Colorado

In 1993 the owner retained WHLLG to conduct an expansion feasibility study for this outdoor miniature golf, go-kart and bumper kart facility. They then hired one of the "big name" FEC architectural firms to master plan the expansion. The owner fired that firm and retained WHLLG to prepare a new feasibility study and master plan for the expansion.

Dinotropolis™; Caracas, Venezuela

WHLLG was the development consultant, producer and collaborative designer for this new 60,000 s.f. children's entertainment center that opened July 1996 in Caracas, Venezuela. The center was designed as a Play Palace on the planet of Gemini, inhabited by a civilization of dinosaurs. WHLLG developed the center's storyline, name, characters and theme; oversaw the center's entire design and selection, sourcing and coordination of the installation of all entertainment events and is continuing to assist with operations and management consulting. The center features the world's first roller coaster that goes through the middle of a soft modular play unit. It also includes a children's maze, interactive water play, a hands-on/discovery area for preschoolers and six birthday party catering suites. Dinotropolis won the 1996 Newsmaker Award for the Best New International FEC.

Family Entertainment Center; Bend, Oregon

WHLLG completed the market and economic feasibility study and concept plans and cost estimate to expand the Sun Mountain 24-lane bowling center as an indoor/outdoor FEC including miniature golf, go-karts, a maze and a children's adventure play garden.

Family Entertainment Center; Greater Nashville, Tennessee Area

WHLLG originally performed a market feasibility study with strategic and mix recommendations, concept development plans, cost estimates and pro forma for a 30,000 s.f. addition to and renovation of an existing 40,000 s.f. bowling center. The first phase of the complex included renovation of the Hermitage bowling center, construction of The Finish Line, an adult cafe and lounge FEC, and the game room and birthday party portion of Kelly Rae's FEC. Kelly Rae's is scheduled to be expanded to include a gated children's entertainment center, a maze, bumper karts and a Himilaya. WHLLG handled the feasibility, concept development and full design of the project.

Davis' Farmland; Sterling, Massachusetts

This children's discovery farm has been open six years. In 1994, WHLLG performed a feasibility study including guest surveys and strategic development recommendations for relocation and expansion of the facility as a children's discovery farm. A development plan was then prepared. Each year WHLLG has assisted the client with design and operation consulting. In 2000, WHLLG conducted a feasibility study for a major expansion of the facility with a children's zero-depth water playground and indoor enrichment center and is currently assisting the client with design work. Click here for more information.

Richmond Sports Park; Richmond, Virginia

This seven-year-old center includes a driving range, miniature golf, batting cages and clubhouse. In 1993, WHLLG performed an evaluation of the center, developed renovation plans for the clubhouse and assisted with game room operation. The owners later retained WHLLG to develop a concept plan, cost estimate and feasibility study to renovate and expand the FEC to include go-karts, bumper karts and an outdoor children's pay-for-play area.

Wol-Ha FEC; Cancun, Mexico

This $7 million, 35,000 s.f. enclosed family entertainment center opened December 1994 to serve the residents of Cancun. WHLLG served as development consultant and designer. The center includes 20 lanes of bowling, a McDonald's and second restaurant, a large children's pay-for-play facility, a game room and party facilities. Wol-Ha translates to The Island in Mayan. Wol-Ha won the 1994 Newsmaker Award for Best International FEC. The owners have since retained WHLLG for on-going operations, evaluations and consulting and to assist them with development of additional Latin American FECs.

Carrousel Park; Overland Park, Kansas

Assisted Fun Factory¨ chain with development of their new 27,000 s.f. children's center concept. Services include consulting on marketing and pricing strategies and assistance in search and screening of management personnel.

Skateland Playdaze; Omaha, Nebraska

Prepared full conceptual development plan including feasibility, design and cost for this new 17,000 s.f. pay-for-play children's center addition to an existing roller skating center. The addition was designed to fully and synergistically integrate with the roller rink.

San Jose, Costa Rica

Assisted client from Wol-Ha (Cancun, Mexico) with feasibility, concept development and design for an entertainment complex that will include retail stores, restaurants and a FEC.

AT&T Interactive Multimedia Division

Assisted with evaluation and development consulting for new interactive product and services for FEC industry. Prepared report on potential markets for product.

Fairway Golf Center; Piscataway, New Jersey

This facility includes a 140 tee driving range, miniature golf, batting cages, go-karts and a clubhouse including a restaurant, golf learning center, golf simulators and pro shop. Performed comprehensive evaluation including guest surveys and market feasibility study for revenue enhancement and expansion. WHLLG developed a master redevelopment plan to expand the family entertainment center portion of the project to include an FEC clubhouse and added outdoor attractions including a children's water park, cost estimates and projections as well as worked with management in a consulting role to develop an integrated guest database/information system and guest obsessed organization.

Pay-for-play Children's Center; Northern Massachusetts

Performed feasibility study and recommended that owner not proceed with development.

Joker's; Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Conducted parking needs study and testified at variance hearing which permitted client to proceed with development of a 24,000 s.f. family entertainment center.

Evans and Sutherland Entertainment & Education Division; Salt Lake City, Utah

Served as product development consultant for development of a new high technology, interactive game for the location-based entertainment center industry.

Midwest USA

Assisted landlord, primary lender and SBA with evaluation of a failed soft modular play center and feasibility of its renovation and re-opening.

In addition to leisure projects, the White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group is actively involved in the development, design and renovation of children's learning and outdoor play facilities including child and day care, kindergartens, playgrounds and nature-based discovery play gardens. For information on these type projects, see:

• Child Care, Head Start and Children's Learning Centers
• Playgrounds, Discovery Play Gardens and Nature Centers.