January 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 52

OPERATIONS
The Clubhouse: Ardmore's Way to Play
By Alicia Henry
T
This
he Clubhouse is a family entertainment center (FEC) that sits
inside the largest park in Ardmore, Oklahoma - Regional Park
- and is operated by the City of Ardmore Parks and Recreation
Department. The Clubhouse includes 31 arcade games, a
redemption area, two indoor party rooms, a soft play area, a dining room
and The Clubhouse Café. The Clubhouse Café features traditional favorites,
including wings, burgers and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, but also serves
up delicious southern delights, like chicken fried steak and fried pork chops.
Guests can dine indoors or outdoors on the patio. The outdoor attractions
include Raceway Go-Karts, Shade Tree Mini Golf, Flight Line Zip, Eagle's
Landing Adventure Courses, Water Wars, Rowdy's Raceway Pavilion, three
treehouses for parties, and Ardmore's first seasonal ice rink. The Clubhouse
is two stories with an open upstairs area to allow expansion.
project
began
forming in
2016 when the Ardmore community
voiced the need for an FEC. Members
were selected for an FEC Committee
and the four-year process began. Teresa
Ervin, City of Ardmore parks
and recreation director, submitted a
Request for Proposal for a consulting
firm to help guide the process. Davis
& Davis Recreational Planning Consultants
was chosen and came with
high recommendations and experience.
The feasibility study presented
a positive outlook showing that the
Ardmore community and surrounding
towns want not only an FEC, but
also one that can be supported and
maintained. The City of Ardmore
committed to funding the project with
the help of local foundations and Tax
Increment Finance funds. Numerous
meetings and decisions took place before
the project finally broke ground
in April 2019. After 18 months of
construction, the doors officially
opened on September 23, 2020. Despite
the coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic, The Clubhouse received
overwhelming support and has been
successful. The FEC has served thousands
of people, increased tourism to
the city and received community gratitude.
Additionally, Ardmore Parks
and Recreation staff have learned
immensely.
As park and recreation
professionals, we still are adapting
and integrating our processes. The
Clubhouse operates differently
than recreational facilities and
needs to produce revenue. We
have had to develop packages that
are a balance of affordable and
profitable. As a park and recreation
department operating an FEC, we
have unique opportunities to run
recreational programs in a nontraditional
setting.
Ervin
states,
" Ardmore
Parks and Recreation
Department is passionate about
the community and the quality of
life that we provide for our citizens
and guests. There are many avenues
in recreation and each person has
a different interest. We now have
the opportunity, with the creation
of The Clubhouse, to reach out
to a sector of our community that
may not have benefitted from our
other activities or facilities, but now
they can. With the right location,
the funds and the support of your
decision-makers, cities can make
[an] FEC work for them. "
Our ultimate goal in parks and
recreation is to serve the needs of
our community in the best way possible.
The Clubhouse is another avenue
to do just that. The Clubhouse
is " Ardmore's Way to Play! "
Shade Tree Mini Golf is one of many
outdoor attractions featured at the family
entertainment center in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
52 Parks & Recreation |
J ANUAR Y 2 0 22 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
Alicia Henry is Parks and Recreation
Assistant Director for City of Ardmore,
Oklahoma (ahenry@ardmorecity.org).
PHOTO COURTESY OF DREW BUTLER
January 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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