Time for Fun
by Jennifer West
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

The newly remodeled Putt-Putt Fun House opened its doors April 1.

The course boasts a new 17,500 square-foot facility that houses Lazer Runner - a virtual reality game, a restaurant, interactive reality theater and children's activities that include: a children's play area, karaoke, face painting, balloon art, magicians, batting cages and bumper boats.

For the grand opening, Radio Disney was on hand to celebrate the festivities with food, contests and music.

However, Putt-Putt isn't just for kids anymore.

The new virtual reality theater, the "Ham on Rye," is a state-of-the-art theater that lets audience members interact with live performers. Audience members wear special glasses to view 3-D movies and use special devices to interact with the performers in the show. The only other theater similiar to the one at the Fun House is at Six Flags in Dallas.

"People stopped and looked in awe," said Jim Saxe, owner of Putt-Putt. "It was more than people could take in."

Lazer Runner, the laser tag game on the second floor of the Fun House, requires players to wear special vests that glow and vibrate special commands, such as a player being hit by an opponent.

For those who have never experienced Lazer Runner, the course is similar to that of a paintball course. For $5, players can buy seven and a half minutes of play time and purchase more as needed.

The Fun House restaurant serves homemade pizza; sandwiches with fresh, hand-rolled bread; salads; and a selection of Blue Bell ice cream. Included inside are mazes, mirrors and a giant slide that leads guests back down to the first floor.

Upstairs, patrons can reserve one of the five theme rooms. Each theme room and the game room was hand-painted.

Although Putt-Putt offers miniature golf and other family attractions, the facility is actively involved in the local community.

Other activities at Putt-Putt include: Rotary Night, where the Space Center Rotary comes and plays; Project Graduation, where students spend graduation night with their fellow classmates; Senior Olympics, where senior citizens test their golfing skills; and Funsit's Fingerprint Club, where the Webster Police and Fire Departments sponsor an event that helps children learn about safety and also helps law enforcement officials obtain useful information in case of an emergency.

Putt-Putt has been spreading fun and games since 1979. It has been remodeled 13 times to keep up with children's ever-changing tastes and trends.

Top of Page | Front Page