Another Alton Bay Landmark bites the dust

[kjbathe]

I'm not unsympathetic to the neighbor(s), but as reported it appears the owners are being quite accommodating in trying to address their concerns. Tough break, but that's the risk in owning a house located next to a parcel approved for Chuckster's use...

[MarkL]

Hi
The LaCava family has been following all of the wonderful memories and thoughts that you have all posted about the Blue Jay Mini Golf. Our Son, Mark, responded as well and we would just like to add that we are very happy that people had fun and enjoyed our time with them. It has been a joint effort for 47 years and now a new golf course has been put in it's place and we hope that everyone will have family times and memories there. We will always remember our many friends and customers. We have many many fond memories also of our time spent at the Blue Jay.
We hope to see you in the Bay area this summer because we will be spending time there. Thanks again for your warm wishes and memories.

The LaCava Family

[Argie's Wife]

Originally Posted by kjbathe

I'm not unsympathetic to the neighbor(s), but as reported it appears the owners are being quite accommodating in trying to address their concerns. Tough break, but that's the risk in owning a house located next to a parcel approved for Chuckster's use...

Call me a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) but it seems that's not an appropriate place for such a track and I don't blame the neighbors one bit for being upset. There's a similar situation here in Alton with someone who wants to put in a motocross track but the neighbors are not for it at all.

The zoning board/planning board of a town is supposed to weigh such complaints and consider if something is going to change the nature of a neighborhood. Any variances can upset people who have been living in an abutting property and yes, can decrease their property value.

As much as I wish Chuckster's success, I do not wish those with their tiny piece of the American Dream to lose out because of Chucksters.

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Thanks to the LaCava Family for their thoughtful posts. I wish my children had been a little older when you had the business so we could have visited.

[kjbathe]

When we drove by the course in Alton this weekend it looked nice -- I like the water fountains. I didn't see anyone playing, but it looked nice.

[jaysbayside]

Hi All;

It was brought to my attention that my purchase and updating of the Blue Jay mini golf course in Alton Bay was quite a hot topic for discussion on your forum, so I thought I'd weigh in.

The nutshell version of the chain of events is this: I have lived in Concord, NH, for about ten years, and always felt that this area lacked good family entertainment and that a miniature golf course was needed. So last year a friend and I designed and built Chucksters in Chichester, hoping to fill the void and hopefully not lose money, as we "bet the farm" that this was a good idea. The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with people thanking us and our families for providing something to do, and it's been lots of fun.

We have kept our boat at Alton Bay for the same ten years and love the lake and the community. Last fall I was at the Bay and found out that the Blue Jay was for sale, and despite the necessity to update a very neglected building and property, I almost immediately arranged to purchase it and apply the same principles to a new course that people seem to like about Chucksters: challenging holes, lots of water, beautiful landscaping, and a wholesome family environment.

The LaCava's had fantastic vision and talent to build and operate the course for so many years, and it clearly has provided many happy memories for many visitors and residents since the sixties. I have enjoyed getting to know the LaCava's, and it was fun to watch them play a round at the new Jay's Bayside Mini Golf & Arcade with their extended family this past weekend, no doubt with mixed emotions about leaving behind the thousands of memories but looking ahead to new opportunites and summer freedom to enjoy their kids and grandkids.

I understand and respect the emotions that are invoked in others while tinkering with a landmark, and I respect and appreciate the history of the Blue Jay. I've also learned that one cannot make big things happen without annoying some people and pleasing others, and my hope is that everyone around Alton Bay treasures their memories of the Blue Jay while also looking forward to creating new ones. Response from the several hundred people that played the course this past weekend plus those that stopped in to check it out was very positive and encouraging. It even has the approval of my wife and 6 and 8 year old children, one of which is named Jay.

We look forward to meeting new friends at Jay's and will welcome your input on how to make your visits more enjoyable. We plan to saturate the area with discount coupons and various promotions to keep it as affordable as possible and will maintain the property as best as we can for your enjoyment. I look forward to your questions and comments.

[Winnipesaukee Divers]

Will my granddaughter be able to use her Hole-In-One card that she won last year?

[chipj29]

This thread has been real fun to read. From peoples memories, to the former owners writing, and now the new owners checking in. Good stuff gang!

[riverat]

I was the originator of this thread and at the time was very disturb by the fact that a fond memory of my childhood was being torn out of the fabric of Alton Bay, and at the time had no idea as to what was going to happen at that location. However, since than I have heard other forum members recall their fond memories of the good times experienced at the Blue Jay and all about the LaCava's and their love for the people and the area and than I see the beautiful golf course rise from the rumble and now I here from the new owners who sound sincere in carrying on the tradition of family fun and entertainment in the Bay which the bay has always been to me and still is. I feel my worries melt away and my excitement grow that many a family will create more fond memories in the future. Thank you for taking the time to post on the forum because I read the forum each day before and after I visit the Bay each day.

[jaysbayside]

Several people have asked now whether their existing free game vouchers will be honored. I feel that new owners should not be obligated to honor a free game voucher that was given by former owners who received the original revenue from the round of golf that generated the free game.

I also understand that particularly to a child, but to every guest, customers couldn't care less about who owns what; they're just excited to have earned a free game and want to use it. Therefore, as an act of goodwill, I will honor free game vouchers at Jay's.

By the way, it will still be possible to win a free game on the new hole 18; I don't know if it's harder or easier than before, but a few people did so over the weekend, including a five year old girl!

[kjbathe]

Originally Posted by jaysbayside

Therefore, as an act of goodwill, I will honor free game vouchers at Jay's.

That was the right answer. Clearly, you "get it" -- impressive in this day and age. Well done!

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by kjbathe

That was the right answer. Clearly, you "get it" -- impressive in this day and age. Well done!

I agree. Well done. The goodwill will not cost anything, if anything it could bring in additional revenue.
There are 2 scenarios.
1. The person comes in with a previously issued voucher, and is told no, it will not be honored. The group is likely to play anyway, but the person holding the voucher is not feeling warm and fuzzy, regardless of who issued the voucher. Not warm and fuzzy=may not return. May not return=lost revenue.
2. The person comes in with a previously issued voucher, and is told yes we will honor that voucher. The group plays, and leaves warm and fuzzy. Warm and fuzzy=likely to return and spend $$. Not to mention the person that had the voucher has a couple bucks extra in his/her pocket, and could spend it on something else offered (ice cream?) there.

You made the right choice IMHO. Good job.

[SIKSUKR]

Nice touch.