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Sam’s Fun City
in coastal communities where tourism has been adversely affected this year.
repeat business. With beaches being
either closed or avoided by Gulfport
residents, Sealy said, "locals need
something to do, and without the
beach, it's either us or the water
park."
The island themed FEC has 24
state of the art bowling lanes and a
d e l u x e a rc a d e . T h e f u l l - s e r v i c e
Palms Lounge serves lunch and din-
ner seven days a week and a variety
o f b i r t h d a y p a r t y p a c k a g e s a re
available.
ALABAMA
Around 100 miles away, in Gulf
Shores, Ala., things aren't going as
well. A Gulf Shores FEC, The Track,
has suffered losses of around 40%
in the months since the spill.
PLAY METER
Island Strikz
Owner Paul Cruise said, "We've trees cover the premises, giving the
filed a claim with British Petroleum, park a southern flair and providing
but we haven't heard anything back. shade from the Florida sun.
Normally July is a crazy month for A l m o s t e ve r y o t h e r ye a r
us. This year, on some weekends, since it's grand opening,
Gulf Shores looks like a ghost town." some sort of tragedy has
T h e Tra c k o f f e r s a n a r ra y o f struck, leaving only a
entertainment options including go- vague idea of what a
karts, miniature golf, bumper boats, normal business year
bumper cars, a bungee jump and an would be like.
arcade. "In 2 001, shortly
after we opened, there
FLORIDA was 9/11," said owner,
In Florida, things are similar. R i c h a rd S a n f i l i p p o .
Sam's Fun City is an FEC in Pen- "Tourism was down
sacola Beach, Fla., which has been all over the country.
open since 2001. The FEC features Then in 2004, Hurri-
a miniature golf course, laser tag, a c a n e Iva n h i t ,
water park, arcade games, bumper we suffered
boats go-carts, and a restaurant. Oak some dam-
63 SEPTEMBER 2010