WOW! Settlement reached

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

The Mayfair Civic Association and the WOW Family Fun Center have come to a compromise.
The civic association had sought to close the entertainment complex, at 7017 Roosevelt Blvd., because of what neighbors described as unruly behavior by teenagers leaving the center.
WOW management had a different view, claiming that the rowdies were not patrons of the center.
Civic association president Scott Cummings organized two meetings, the second of which took place June 22 at Mayfair Caterers.
Jim Dvorak, president of United Skates of America, WOW’s Ohio-based parent company, attended that meeting. He did not identify himself to the angry crowd, even when Cummings — who had never met him and didn’t know he was present — referred to him as a "fat, bald, cigar-smoking slumlord."
As a result of that meeting, Cummings and Dvorak met for three and a half hours at WOW on July 27. They were joined by WOW general manager Mike Slaven and an unidentified local businessman seeking to buy the property.
The WOW officials made it clear they wouldn’t bow to the community’s top wish — to shut down the business.
"I don’t think we could have closed them," Cummings said.
Instead, WOW agreed to the following provisions:
o Creating Mayfair Civic Association Night every Thursday. All Mayfair residents and members of the Northeast Peanut League youth sports organization are invited to enjoy WOW attractions. Admission and skate rentals are free on Sept. 16, 23 and 30.
o Sponsoring an annual Mayfair Civic Association barbecue. The first will take place Saturday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids will enjoy free food, drinks, rides, games and skating.
o Allowing St. Matthew, St. Timothy and St. Bernard schools to have special nights for their students a total of nine times a year. The $2 admission will be donated by WOW for scholarships.
o Donating money to Mayfair Town Watch to purchase radios, jackets and other items.
Cummings is happy with the settlement.
"I think we broke some ground," he said.
Neighbors have complained that WOW patrons commit retail thefts, vandalize properties and assault SEPTA bus drivers. They are also angry that WOW does not market itself to Mayfair or the rest of the Northeast.
The most troublesome night is Saturday. Cummings asked WOW to allow the civic association to rent the facility every Saturday night, but he was rebuffed. He settled for Thursdays.
Nevertheless, Cummings was effusive in his praise for the commitment by Dvorak and Slaven to broker a deal.
The community leader conceded that there have been no reports of WOW-related problems all summer. He is also pleased with the level of security provided by the center.
The civic association president also knew that his group would have a tough time matching resources in court litigation with a deep-pocketed company like United Skates of America.
The civic association board of directors eagerly accepted the agreement Cummings crafted with WOW.
"It’s open for our kids now," Cummings said.
The civic leader doesn’t expect huge crowds of Mayfair-area kids to flock to WOW right away.
"I think it’ll take some time," he said.
The civic association will meet with Mayfair Town Watch and WOW officials every Monday to discuss any problems associated with the center.
In the long term, it’s possible WOW could be purchased by the wealthy local businessman and relocated to another neighborhood. A similar purchase and relocation of a USA property was made in Chicago. oo
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com