Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Another Alton Bay Landmark bites the dust

jaysbayside · 06-09-2008, 10:23 PM

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.

06-09-2008, 10:23 PM	#8
jaysbayside Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New Owner Weighs In 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.