"Sus Monkey around with new play area" (vol 8, issue 18, p18) by Kevin Conlon

The Phoenix Suns franchise has added a 6,000 square-foot kids play area in the upper deck of their America West Arena home. The franchise shared the multi-million dollar price tag with the city of Phoenix.

In order to complete the project, the franchise had to eliminate many of the upper level parking spaces, but decided that it was a better idea and investment to create the children's play area.

The area itself will be used to test climbing skills of youth at the games, and allow the kids to take a break from games to enjoy themselves with others of the same age. It will also be a spot where the kids can hangout with and play with the Phoenix Gorilla, the mascot for the Suns.

I think this is a creative and unique idea that will be successful and should be in other arenas across the U.S. Kids can easily be distracted and lose focus while attending a game, and this gives them a chance to have fun and not have to be tied down in a seat all night. They can get a chance to run around and have some fun while also enjoying the game atmosphere. It is also good that each kid can spend time with the mascot, because most kids love to meet the mascots at sporting events.

The article says that this play area was made for the working class families with children who arent sitting in the "prime" expensive seats. And its a truly great idea. Kids who are courtside get to be close to all kinds of different entertainment options, but those families who are in the less expensive seats dont have much of a chance to participate in all activities. Now with this new play area in the upper deck, it will give these families and kids something to do and have fun with. I commend the Suns on taking this step, and deciding that the youth is more important than a few parking spaces, and also for helping the middle class families have a little fun.