Mayfair is happy
about change of venue

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Scott Cummings described it as the "greatest announcement Mayfair’s heard in twelve years."
On Friday night, the Mayfair Civic Association president joined police and Town Watch officials and Q102 personality Diego at WOW Family Fun Center.
There, Cummings announced the end of the "Saturday Teen Late Nite" dance and skate.
"Saturday night will be family night and no longer teen dance night," he said.
WOW, at 7017 Roosevelt Blvd., had operated as United Skates of America from 1978 to ‘92 without any major problems.
However, the company changed its name and marketing strategies, reaching out to areas outside the Northeast to draw crowds of up to 700 on Saturdays.
Neighborhood residents complained that WOW patrons damaged property after leaving the center. WOW officials questioned whether it was their customers causing the damage.
Both sides negotiated a resolution to the dispute that would allow WOW to continue to operate on Saturday nights, but with tighter security.
In addition, since August 2004, WOW has allowed Mayfair Civic Association to sponsor a night each week for area youths.
For the most part, tensions had eased, though two teenagers were shot in August in a nearby clothing store parking lot after a confrontation earlier that night at WOW.
As for the switch to family night, WOW officials said they made the change for the community’s benefit.
The former Saturday night crowd was made up of teenagers who paid a $10 admission. The cost remains $10, but the price includes skate rental and all-you-can-eat pizza and soft drinks from 6 to 11 p.m.
Now, on Saturday nights, there will be less 50 Cent and Jay-Z and more Limbo, Chicken Dance, Hokey Pokey and Cotton Eyed Joe. Children must be accompanied by parents.
WOW officials believe family night can be as popular as the teen dance.
"That’s the plan," said regional manager Mike Slaven.
Slaven and Cummings have worked closely for the last year. WOW agreed to donate $1 to the community for every paid admission on civic association-sponsored nights.
The company delivered on Friday, presenting a check for $4,300 to be split among the civic association, Mayfair Town Watch and St. Matthew School.
WOW also plans to send its mascot, Roller Roo, to block parties in Mayfair this summer to promote the change in the Saturday night format.
Besides skating, WOW has games and rides.
"We have a good product," said new general manager Rolf Kaumann. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com