Local entrepreneurs hope to create family entertainment center

By Laura Ory
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Monday, Jan 07, 2008 - 06:17:44 am MST

Font Size

SIERRA VISTA — Three local entrepreneurs are hoping to provide Sierra Vista with laser tag, batting cages, miniature golf and family friendly entertainment.

The Zone is the first project for Desert Family Entertainment Centers, a new venture of Kenneth Anderson, chief financial officer, André Dozier, chief operations officer, and Andrew Normandeau, chief financial officer.

“The three of us strongly want to see it happen and to be the people to bring it to the city,” Dozier said.

They are still in the stages of securing the location and investors for the $8 million project but The Zone could open by 2009, Dozier said.

A possible location for the new business would be near The Mall at Sierra Vista.

When Dozier moved to the area nine years ago with his family he thought, like other fathers in the area, there wasn’t much entertainment for youth.

Disneyland, Magic Mountain and arcade games were a part of his life growing up, and he saw that similar entertainment is lacking in the Sierra Vista area.

But it wasn’t until he read his friend’s master’s thesis on developing a family entertainment center in Sierra Vista that he began to make the project a reality.

A few months later, he overheard a coworker, Anderson, talking about the very same idea.

Along with Normandeau, they created Desert Family Entertainment Centers.

They want the business “stay local” rather than bringing an entertainment center franchise or chain to town, Dozier said.

Their vision for The Zone includes two miniature golf courses, a 5,600-square-foot multilevel laser tag facility, go-cart tracks, batting cages, a snack bar, an arcade, party rooms and more.

Safety and cleanliness are some of their top priorities for The Zone. They want the business to “enhance” Sierra Vista rather than compete with other businesses in town, he said.

Community members tell them, “It will be a great addition to the city,” Dozier said. “It’s needed in the community.”

Herald/Review reporter Laura Ory can be reached at 515-4683.

or by e-mail at laura.ory@svherald.com.

Print this story Email this story

Font Size

Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.
Comments appear once they are approved. Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

Curious wrote on Nov 22, 2008 1:45 PM:

" Is there an update on this venture? Did they break ground yet? Did the economy shut it down, or is it just in hibernation?
EDITOR'S NOTE: We don't know. We'll have a reporter check on it. "

Brian Simms wrote on Feb 9, 2008 1:03 AM:

" Here is a neat listing of other family fun adventure activities to do around Sierra Vista and Bisbee AZ:
http://www.jacobguide.com/arizona.html

It is a local family activity guide written by 7 year old Jacob and his Dad!

"

Marcie, I posted this in October 2007 wrote on Jan 17, 2008 9:46 AM:

" Why are people acting like this is the first any one has thought of this. In October 2007 I posted comments stating that this area needed more family entertainment. I also wrote that I never did any thing like this before and was looking for help from people. And you know what NOT a single person wrote stating they were willing to help. I set up a email address ACTS.SierraVista@yahoo.com, no one was interested. ACTS stands for Adults, Children, Teens, Seniors. I was hoping for something ALL people in Sierra Vista could enjoy. "

Langer wrote on Jan 9, 2008 2:49 AM:

" This sounds like a great idea, but maybe a little over-the-top if they plan to do it all at once. Starting smaller and working up would be the sensible idea. Eight million bucks isn't hay, especially if this goes bust in a short time as so many businesses have in this town.
The old wisdom was to open a business planning to lose money for the first five years, and I really doubt that is the plan here. Some might make money but the investors might be out their nest eggs. "

Best Wishes wrote on Jan 8, 2008 4:59 PM:

" Congratulations on your idea. I pray that it works for you all. We most certainly need more FAMILY ORIENTED areas of entertainment. Our kids deserve it. I see from the comments that we have a lot of negative people in town, IGNORE them. They are only bitter folks. Not all our kids are gang members. Although musuems are good and well, how many kids do you really see go to those places by choice. Kids need good wholesome places of entertainment. Sounds like good family outings are on the way. Good Luck "

Wishful thinking wrote on Jan 8, 2008 8:16 AM:

" To No Way,

It is time for Sierra Vistian to take back Sierra Vista from the gangs. If more families show up to these places maybe the "gang bangers" will see that we do not want them in here and they will GO AWAY!!!! To the three good luck to you and my familiy will be there to support your efforts. "

SV KID wrote on Jan 8, 2008 7:44 AM:

" we need places like this.The mall is getting boring...trust me; if i had other options, i wouldn't go to the mall anymore. "

Pauly wrote on Jan 8, 2008 7:40 AM:

" Brava! "

How nice... wrote on Jan 8, 2008 5:47 AM:

" This is exactly what I hoped for 14 years ago when my child was young enough to enjoy it. Too late for him now - he's grown. Maybe a privately owned facility will work. The city sure won't help. "

KB wrote on Jan 7, 2008 4:55 PM:

" Interesting that they point out that they don't want to compete with other businesses in town; that would be impossible because there is nothing like this in Sierra Vista. I will not get my hopes up, though, because there have long been rumors and dreams of this type of facility opening here and it has never materialized. "

bravo wrote on Jan 7, 2008 3:14 PM:

" Congratulations to you three for taking the initiative to create 'family' style entertainment for Sierra Vista. It is much needed and long awaited. Bravo! "

SV MOM wrote on Jan 7, 2008 12:00 PM:

" MIRACLE, HERE! MORE FUN. "

Hello wrote on Jan 7, 2008 11:35 AM:

" I love the idea. This town needs it! "

Chris S. wrote on Jan 7, 2008 10:40 AM:

" I think we should put it up over there on the PDS area that the Boys and Girls Club was denied having access too. That's be awesome. "

NO WAY wrote on Jan 7, 2008 9:58 AM:

" Another place to train gang members! Why not a bigger library? A museum? A Book Store? "

momofkids wrote on Jan 7, 2008 9:36 AM:

" FINALLY! Excited to hear that there will be a little more available to the families here! Sierra Vista is a great place to live and raise a family. We have enjoyed what this town has had to offer including the numerous trails and all things going on @ the San Pedro house, but it will be nice to have the indoor entertainment as well! Hope this idea doesnt' get shot down like so many others that we have heard about though. These guys need our $ and support! "

ded wrote on Jan 7, 2008 9:04 AM:

" I hope they include a full time security gaurd and camera's to keep the riff raff out, otherwise it may cost there business and investment. "

Great... wrote on Jan 7, 2008 7:51 AM:

" This is an awesome idea... I'm so glad that finally a fun place for more family involvement is going to be built. "

bring it on wrote on Jan 7, 2008 7:43 AM:

" please get this place going for the kids . Sv needs this and lots more in the town and surrounding areas for kids.
Sounds like a wonderful idea.
I'm sure there will be those grumpy people with no kids that will complain but they won't be here in another 15 years so ignore them. "