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Taylorville nears finish
Published Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Taylorville Family Entertainment Center is in its final stages of construction.
The project broke ground on U.S. Highway 80 in late October under the direction of proprietor Dr. Bruce Taylor. Taylor’s medical office is adjacent to the entertainment center.
The center will include laser tag, four children’s party rooms, a miniature indoor golf course and three outdoor pavilions. The smallest pavilion can seat between 50-70 people, and the largest seats about 400. Taylor originally planned two pavilions with a third to be built later, but demand for large gatherings prompted him to construct all three right away.
“The overall concept is really geared toward kids 12 and under. There will be some things inside for the whole family to do,” Taylor said.
Taylor said he doesn’t anticipate any obstacles for the planned April 7 grand opening.
Architect for the project, Greg Kamback of Bird & Kamback Architects LLC in Huntsville, said crews are working fervently to open the site to the public soon.
“It’s in the finishing stages right now; of course the structure’s all up,” Kamback said. “The parking lot is being prepared for pavement. There’s a lot of real fancy electronics that are going in that building. A lot of data wiring because he’s going to have computer games, and all the game machines are going to be tied together with computers.”
The building is state-of-the-art in several ways. Kamback said different consultants were brought in to ensure that several different aspects worked properly. For instance, the laser tag arena has a fog machine, and the interior is blacklight-sensitive to create a special visual feel.
“There will be a whole room dedicated to computer games like the Wii and XBox,” Kamback said. “People will be able to play tournaments or play online. I think people are going to be real excited about that. A lot of the video games will be cutting edge games.”
A staff of 32 is already on board, but Taylor will increase that to 50 before the summer to accommodate social gatherings and a higher volume of customers.
Security is also at a premium. Cameras and security guards will be placed throughout the facility, and both the inside and outside will be well lit.
“We really do want to make sure people feel safe and secure,” Taylor said. “There are 36 cameras inside and outside and covering every exit.”
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Comments
Posted by Mr_Peepers (anonymous) on March 24, 2009 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why will they need so much security if it's a family entertailment facility geared toward kids 12 and under?
Posted by 1eyedmule (anonymous) on March 24, 2009 at 11:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Peepers, you surely cannot be serious with you comment.
Posted by brownskin (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They will need to have security to protect the children not being raised to be thugs and gangsters out to prove a point. I, as a parent welcome the security and I am willing to pay more to ensure that it is there. Security will help ensure my family and I will have a peaceful day at Taylorville. Dr. Taylor do what you have to, I look forward to your center opening.
Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've noticed that Dr.Taylor does a lot of good in the community--step shows,the recent political forum,and his medical practice chief of all-- and he seems to put his money where his mouth is.I hope that this venture is a success for him...we need more like him in Selma.
Posted by I_saw_what_you_did_in_Selma (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't imagine they need security as much as they need babysitters because I imagine a lot of parents are going to use this as a dumping ground in order to get rid of their kids for the day. No way would I ever let my kids go to that place. I imagine it will probably be an unorganized, chaotic mess of a place that the police will be called to on a regular basis.
Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe not,I_saw_ what_ you_did_.I share some of your concerns but i'd like to see this as a success for Dr.Taylor.The man is willing to invest in Selma and give our children a place they can interact with others and have fun, Lord knows they need it.Let's not shoot him down before he has a chance to take off.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's a great concept. I hope it works so kids can enjoy something to do besides walking the streets and breaking into cars. Wonder how long it will take this place to be broken into? Really not trying to be negative, just realistic.
Posted by Clarissa49 (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do children have to be entertained to keep them out of trouble? I grew up in a very rural area. There was not much entertainment. I could not afford to use what was there. However, I used other means for entertainment. I also worked and accepted responsibility for my choices. Teach youth responsibility. Encourage them to give to their community rather than expect the community to do for them. Thanks to Dr. Spock and others our nation has become too permissive and me-oriented.
Yes, some of our youth do accept responsibility. Unfortunately, most do not. They have learned that society will take care of them, excuse their bad choices, promote the idea they are victims, etc.
Posted by kidsr3jmj (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Dr. Taylor for being a proactive citizen of Selma and recognizing it's need for a venue geared towards family fun and entertainment. I commend you for bringing your vision to fruition as opposed to letting it remain just that, a vision. A facility like this can be a catalyst for enhancing family time and promoting communication and interaction between kids and parents. I have visited similar facilities with my family and for us it enhanced our teamwork skills and ability to communicate. But most importantly it allowed our kids to see us as parents loosen up and have fun. I am perplexed at the amount of negative energy that is being generated toward this great community OPPORTUNITY. For those with nothing positive to say maybe reserve your comments. I am a true believer in PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) and that you get out of life what you put in. Look at the positive possibilities that this can generate: employment of approximately 50 people, a tax revenue base for the county and most importantly something positive steered toward PROMOTING family.
I am happy to know that there appears to have been a lot of thought and preparation that has gone into this venture. It is great to know that the issue of security is a high priority as opposed to being a reactive afterthought due to some unfortunate event. As our times change we have to respond to that change. Security, be it electronic or man-power, is ever present in all of our everyday lives i.e. airports, hospitals, schools, museums etc. As Selma awaits SOMEONE to steps up in an effort to improve it's morale and community progress, I look forward to patronizing The Taylorville Family Entertainment Center.
Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well put,kidsr3jmj.
Posted by Mr_Peepers (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So basically if one has nothing positive to say, we should be quiet?
Honestly, I was wondering how long it would be before someone would say that.
Posted by Newswatcher (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yes Mr. Peepers....weren't you ever told that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all?? We're trying to be positive.....You are being negative....if you don't want to bring your kids, then don't, but don't deter anyone else.
Posted by HuntsvilleGamer (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Obviously you are all Selma citizens. You should be glad someone still wants to build here. "I_saw_what_you_did_in_Selma"if you are a citizen of Selma its obvious that you are unable to move to a better place which means that in some way you contribute to the climate of your community and if you don't whenever someone sees your address and its labeled Selma,Al you will be placed in the same box you are building yourself.
Posted by leo71 (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Though I believe in freedom of speech--positive or negative-- that sounds reasonable to me,Newswatcher.There's a difference between constructive criticism or devil's advocacy and just plain negativity.Why make negative comments if they're just that...negative? They don't provoke thought or offer a different point of view whether everyone agrees with it or not?
Posted by SELMABEST (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe someone doing something good for Selma and surrounding counties and people are founding something negative 2 say about that.ARE people afraid it will give our youth something 2 do!! GOD HELP US
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe Taylorville can offer some adult training classes on "parenting" and "how to become employed". I wonder if it's the parents more than I do the kids.
Posted by Trublu (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm thankful to Dr Taylor for trying to do something positive to improve the community..........be it for profit or not. At least he IS doing something! Usually people making negative comments have a chip on their shoulder and are very insecure individuals..........but of course that's just my opinion and everybody is entitled to one :) God bless Selma!
Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 8:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Taylorville today, gated communities tomorrow, Selma will evolve for the better and losers will die out. The outside world can't be held out forever. sorry thugs, deal with it. popdukes12
Posted by Mr_Peepers (anonymous) on March 25, 2009 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
1eyedmule, reread my initial post. I didn't make a comment, I simply asked a question.
Same for you Newswatcher, simply asking a question is not being negative.
Posted by catchem (anonymous) on March 26, 2009 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job Doctor. The risk you are taking makes mine seem trivial.
Posted by Newswatcher (anonymous) on March 26, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You're right Mr. Peepers.....but I would think that one would automatically feel good about a properly "secured" facility, especially involving children. But I apologize if you were offended.
Posted by crayola07 (anonymous) on April 21, 2009 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All you haterz should meet at Taylorville and fight it out... laser tag style.
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