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Times Advocate, 1991-07-31, Page 5Times -Advocate, July 31 1991 For youngsters, Track 'n Trail the last frontier By Ray Lewis GRAND BEND - Sixteen years ago, Ken and Donna Fer- nald purchased 23 acres of land just south of Grand Bend on Highway 21 as a business ven- ture. Along with it came a go-kart track and several trail bikes. Why did they invest? "A moment of insanity," laughs Donna, owner of Grand Bend's popular youth haven, Track'n Trail. Since that time, they have elimi- nated the bikes, but steadily added In the fast lane - No it's not the Grand Prix, but you would never know it from the kids of all ages who visit Grand Bend's Track"n Trail, other forms of entertainment, in- creasing the size of their business while many others are cutting back. The area now yields gyros, swing gyms, an 18 -hole miniature golf course, a nine -hole kiddie golf course, electric kiddie cars, a few video games and a large maze. Each year, track'n trail attracts larger numbers of younger chil- dren. To compensate, changes must be made on a yearly basis as well, and the Fernald's have no in- tentions of stopping. They already have a number of ideas in the hop- per for 1992. "There hasn't really been a change in age; we're just getting more kids," said Donna. "There just isn't as much for them to do in the Bend anymore." Indeed, attractions in Grand Bend have seen drastic changes since the Fernald's first took over. Gone are the bumper cars, roller coaster, slide, skee-ball, roller rink and ferris wheel to name a few. Track'n Trail has a lot of return customers who are mostly tourists. Many are campers in the Pinery, who don't bother with Grand Bend because they don't feel there is is much in the village for children. Complained one camper, "there isn't much besides the beach; and As the world tums - Jamie Smulders takes a ride on a gyro at Grand Bend's Track'n Trail. the Pinery has that." Track'n Trail is the last of a rare breed. They don't sell t -shirts, and they have no liquor license; yet they have survived. But how? The motorized go-karts are the business' main attraction and the track has just been renovated and widened. For those too young to ride, there are two-seaters available for adult and child. Last year they added gyros, which are used at space camps to train astronauts. Track'n Trail has four, while the only other place in Canada to use them is the Ontario Science Centre. Other than that, the Fernald's seem to apply the KISS rule to many of their other amusements; Keep It Simple Stuff. One of the most popular attrac- tions has been a small dart game, set up by Ken. Patrons receive darts and a small crossbow to fire them with. Their target; an 11x14 glossy of Sadam Hussein. "Those silly little darts are driv- ing people crazy; they love it," said Donna. "But I wish I could get a picture of Mulroney." The Fernald's are also trying to keep prices very reasonable. With the dart game, you get seven darts for a dollar, the swing gyms are $1.50, and kiddie golf is a buck. They also offer group rates. Donna said they have really felt the impact of the GST this year, but wherever possible, they haven't increased their prices. Track'n Trail usually opens about two weekends before May 24. They begin by operating only on weekends, but gradually shift to full days in June, remaining open steadily for the remainder of the summer. It's enough to keep the couple's hands full, along with their five student employees. Ken handles all of the mainte- nance, with the go-karts the most expensive to took after; at times moreso than a car. When required, parts are ordered from a regular Honda dealer, but in general the cars remain pretty solid. To keep costs and prices at a minimum, Ken also built the kiddie track and mini- ature golf courses, the larger of which is particularly demanding. "If you can keep the equipment reasonable, you can afford to oper- ate it reasonably," said Donna logi- cally. And if you don't feel like going a few laps, you can grab a chocolate dipped frozen banana, and just watch. Computer camp - Alison Knip learns about computers during a camp held at the Exeter Lions' Youth Centre on Monday. About 30 children attended the event, organized by the Lions Club. Notice To All Construction Workers and Contractors New Health and Safety Regulations for Construction Projects in effect August 1, 1991. Ontario's new Health and Safety Regulations for Construction Projects take effect across the province on August 1, 1991. The new regulations strengthen the protection of workers from falls from heights, trench cave-ins, electrocution, the improper use of cranes, and improve hygiene conditions in the work place. The new Regulations for Construction Projects will affect everyone in the construction industry. For further information contact the nearest office of the Ministry of Labour Ontario Ministry of Labour OPP investigate accidents EXETER - The Exeter OPP re- port no fewer than seven traffic ac- cidents in their district in the past week. Saturday a pickup truck driven by Jeremy Finkbciner of Crediton col- lided with a car driven by Sara Ab- basakoor of London at the junction of Highway 4 and County Road 4. Also Saturday, a vehicle driven by Rita Bilcke of RR3 Exeter left Sidcroad 5-6 of Stephen Township and ended up in the ditch. Friday, a vehicle driven by Mi- chael Danna of Exeter struck a con- crete bridge on Concession 4-5 of Hay Township. The vehicle was lightly damaged, but Danna and his passenger, Jon Schenk sustained minor injuries. Also Friday, vehicle driven by Stephen Veinier of Zunc tiand Dor- othy Corbett of Hensall collided at the junction of King and Elizabeth Streets in Hensall. Both vehicles were severely damaged, reported police and both drivers received minor injuries. Thursday, cars driven by Eliza- beth Taylor of London and Trudie Decker of P"1 Zurich, colli 'd at the interse< Jf County Roads 2 and 4. Bot1. .icles were severely damaged. Taylor sustained serious injuries, while Decker and Tina Stapleton, both 17, were treated for minor injuries. Last Wednesday, in Huron Park a .pickup driven by Garry Finnigan of Egmondville collided with another pickup driven by James Hannah of Huron Park. The Hannah vehicle then struck a bicyclist, Maurice Desjardine who sustained minor in- juries. Last $unsfay, a vehicle driven by -Tohn Brown of Huron Park struck a parked vehicle owned by Barbara Overall of Huron Park in a drive- way on St. Lawrence Avenue. Notice to Water Customers of the Exeter Public Utilities Commission The Utility has a customer that uses large quanti- ties of water for processing vegetables. Normally, one type of vegetable is processed prior to the sec- ond crop of vegetables maturing for processing. This year these crops will overlap for the period of July 24th to August 13th, a period of approximately —three weeks During this period, the Commission is revising the water restriction period for residential customers as follows: Effective July 24th until August 13th West side of Main Street Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. East side of Main Street Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Your co-operation will be appreciated and following August 13th, normal restrictions for lawn watering. will again apply. Exeter Public Utilities Commission Page 5 Quality. It's as important in diamonds as in anything else you own. There's more to a diamond than meets the eye. And to understand the differences between diamonds is to under- stand the 4C's–Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat -weight. It's these 4C's that determine the value of a diamond. The differences between diamonds are subtle indeed. But to people of discriminating taste, it's quality that makes all the difference. Your jeweler is the expert where diamonds are concerned. And he can show you high-quality diamonds in all sizes. They simply look better and will enhance your jewelry, no matter what the design. Quality. It's unmistakable. And it's as important in dia- monds as in anything else you own. 421 Main St., S. Exeter 235-2720 Listowel, 135 Wallace Ave. N. N4W 1K8291-3280 Wlnpham, 201 Josephine St. NOG 2W0357-1911 4€ Your guide to diamond value. • 23a@hin -W1T©© CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Kime, Mills, Dunlop. Chartered Accountants Dan/e/ B. Daum, B.A., M.Acc., C.A. Menage,' 412 Main St., P.O. Box 2405 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S7 (519) 235-0345 Fax: (519) 235-3235 John A.M. 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