GreatPLAY

Few places offer as much variety in banishing boredom as GreatPLAY, a multi-faceted facility featuring indoor and outdoor diversions.

Housed in a reconfigured YMCA in North Topeka, GreatPLAY features fitness equipment, an indoor swimming pool, arcade games, a state-of- the-art two-level laser tag system, dodgeball, trampolines, a yoga room, a jogging track, a party room and a snack bar.

Outside options include nine- hole disc and foot golf, a basketball court, a paintball arena, play equipment and 13 bikes for rent (including one built for two) for pedaling along adjacent trails.

FAMILY PLAY

Rick Farrant and his wife, Linda, had five kids and adopted five more. With 10 children and eight grandchildren, the Farrants have often found themselves pondering limited options for affordable entertainment that would appeal to everyone.

“We still have kids at home, and when the weekend rolls around we’re always trying to figure out what activity we can do as a family,” Farrant said.

““GreatPLAY is a dream come true for us and a good deal for other families too.””

Although golf launched Farrant’s career, he is excited about the additional opportunities for play his new venture opens up.

He says that membership options, though not required at GreatPLAY, ease the pressure for families with young kids and short attention spans.

“If you have a membership, you play for as long as everyone wants, whether that’s 45 minutes or all day,” he said. “Alternatively, if you pay $150 for golf fees somewhere else, and your child decides after the third hole that he or she doesn’t want to do it anymore, then your family day becomes much more frustrating than fun.”

EVERY DAY PLAY

Farrant says he’d love to see GreatPLAY become “birthday party heaven” because of all the options available for kids of all age levels and interests. The facility is also well-positioned for corporate team- building activities.

“You could come here for 30 days in a row and do something different every time,” he said. “You can pick out what makes sense for your group.”

Most activities are available 5:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day with the exception of the trampolines and laser tag, which are typically open from 4 to 8 p.m.

“The other day we played dodgeball for an hour as a family and had a blast,” says Farrant. “We’re having fun and making memories and providing opportunities for other people to do the same.”

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