By Staci Elder Hensley
The Journal Record
 

NORMAN- It’s a long way from a single inflatable moon bounce to t full-fledged multi-attraction entertainment center. Yet it’s a trip that’s been full of pleasure and profits for husband-and-wife team Russell and Robbie Allison.

The two are owners of Allison’s Fun Inc., which bills itself as the largest corporate event planning firm in the south-central U.S. This summer they will open their latest venture, Andy Alligator’s Fun Park, on an eight-acre site at interstate 35 and Indian Hills Road, between Norman and Moore.

More than 20 years ago, the Allisons purchased a moon bounce, which they began renting out and operating at weekend birthday parties. It was a way to bring in some extra income, but the small side venture quickly took on life of its own, resulting in the creation of their present company, which produces picnics and special events for large-sized firms and serves Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. The couple also own a sister company, Celebrations, which provides similar services for companies in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

A couple of years ago, the Allisons to began to research way to offer their special events expertise to smaller companies. It was during that period they realized there was no easily accessible fun park available to families in the Moore/Norman/south Oklahoma City area.

“We did all the research, and when we put it all together, the combination led to this,” Russell Allison said. “The response we have had from everyone has been not only will this work, but ‘Get it open and get it open now.’ I’ve not heard one bad thing.”

Andy Alligator’s Fun Park will provide indoor and outdoor activities, plus party rooms, a pizzeria and a café. Planned as part of the 11,000-square-foot facility are bumper boats, an 18-hole miniature golf course, a climbing mountain, indoor arcade games, a “water wars’ area where kids can have water balloon battles, multiple-setting batting cages, miniature bowling (no special shoes required), and go-carts, in both big kid and rookie sizes.

The $4.5 million facility also will create six to eight full-time jobs and 20-40 seasonal part-time jobs, Russell Allison said. Robbie Allison will serve as day-to-day manager, making it the only family-themed park that has local owners whoa re on-site, the two said. Architect for the project is Davis & Davis Recreational Planning Consultants of Arlington, Texas a national design firm specializing in entertainment facilities. Norman general contractor Aztec Building systems will construct the facility, which financing provided by First Bank & Trust of Norman.

As a final touch, go-carts at the fun park will be wrapped with sponsors’ names, as is done with NASCAR racecars. Although no official deals have been signed, Allison said he already has a lengthy list of local businesses who want to place their logos on a cart once the park is open.

In addition to the fun park activities, the site will have meeting space, plus facilities and parking to accommodate picnics and special events for businesses of 300 or fewer employees, all without displacing public fun park visitors. Anyone interested in scheduling an event may contact the firm at (405) 447-1118.

“This is a huge bonus for us,” Russell Allison said. “We’re only using four acres initially, but the extra four will give us the ability to handle up to three company picnics at a time and allow us to grow the fun park and see what happens.”