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For more information: http://mansfield.htnp.com/business_news/business_sponsors/1509.html

Friendly Fire game center gets a "maybe" from state

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If Keener and Fitzgerald can convince the State Building Inspector that adding a second bathroom would cause “practical difficulty,” she may reconsider her decision and the business could open on Nov. 1 as planned.

Up until this week, it looked like a new business in town would be closing its doors before it even opened.

Now, however, there’s hope for Dan Keener and Ryan Fitzgerald, owners of Friendly Fire , a new computer-gaming center at Four Corners.

This week, the State Building Inspector who had thrown a wrench in the works when she said the young entrepreneurs would have to add a second bathroom – at a cost of about $10,000 – now says she may reconsider her decision.

If Keener and Fitzgerald can provide more persuasive information, including proof that this modification would cause “practical difficulty,” she will take another look at the business.

The partners are already well along with setting up their computer-gaming center with 16 computer stations, a half dozen High Definition flat screens mounted on the walls for playing X-Box 360 games, and other spaces set aside for such activities as card games that involve role playing.

They’re hoping to keep their plans rolling.

“We’ve gathered together statements and letters from a group of game centers that are like ours and we’ve rewritten our proposal,” Keener said Friday.

They also brought in experts who looked over the business site – next to the Grand Union grocery store on Route 44. – and provided cost and construction-timeline estimates to submit to the State Building Inspector.

Besides the expense of installing a handicap-accessible bathroom, it would take at least another month to have the work done. And in addition to delaying the start of business – which means no income – it would push the opening beyond a 90-day rent-free period in their lease.

The business has most of its approvals from the town, which has been supportive of the business but found its hands tied when the state came up with new requirements. The PZC was expected to make a decision on the partners’ special permit application at its Oct. 20 meeting, but the local commission  cannot approve it unless the business meets the State Building Codes.

The town considers the center to be an “arcade,” but the state has classified it as “a place of assembly,” a term used to describe places such as movie theaters. This means the business must provide two bathrooms – one for men, one for women

Keener said he will mail the new documentation to the State Building Inspector on Saturday.

“And then we will hope to hear back from her next week,” he said. “And we will be praying and keeping our fingers crossed.”

He added that he’s been encouraged by a surprising show of support from the community. “People who read the story have been stopping in to wish us luck,” Keener said.

[See previous stories, "State throws plunger into plans for a new Mansfield business,"  and "Computer gaming center adopts new strategy." ]

For More Information

http://mansfield.htnp.com/business_news/friendly_fire_gets_maybe_from_state.html

Sports Score Wrap-Up Oct. 18, 2008

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Scores for the season to date for E.O. Smith girls and boys soccer, hockey, volleyball and swimming matches.

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Game schedule changes

E.O. Smith Junior Varsity Field Hockey

10/14/08 vs. Maloney (Home) — Event Cancelled

Wrap-up of recent games

E.O. Smith Varsity Girls Soccer:

10/07/08 vs. Simsbury – L 1-2

10/10/08 vs. Wethersfield – L 1-3

10/17/08 vs. Bloomfield – W 6-0

E.O. Smith Varsity Boys Soccer:

09/16/08 vs. Farmington – L 1-4

10/03/08 vs. Simsbury – L 1-2

10/07/08 vs. Glastonbury – L 1-4

10/11/08 vs. Wethersfield – L 0-4

10/17/08 vs. Bloomfield – W 5-1

E.O. Smith Varsity Field Hockey:

09/10/08 vs. Killingly – L 0-4

09/11/08 vs. Simsbury – L 0-4

09/16/08 vs. Conard – L 0-3

09/19/08 vs. Glastonbury – L 1-3

10/07/08 vs. Farmington – L 0-5

10/15/08 vs. South Windsor – L 1-2

10/17/08 vs. Southington – W 1-0

E.O. Smith Junior Varsity Field Hockey schedule:

09/11/08 vs. Simsbury – L 0-1

09/16/08 vs. Conard – L 0-6

10/02/08 vs. Newington – L 0-1

10/07/08 vs. Farmington – L 1-2

10/15/08 vs. South Windsor – T 0-0

10/17/08 vs. Southington – L 0-1

E.O. Smith Varsity Girls Swimming:

10/17/08 vs. Glastonbury – 80/2nd

E.O. Smith Varsity Girls Volleyball schedule:

09/15/08 vs. Windsor – L 0-3

09/24/08 vs. South Windsor – L 1-3

09/29/08 vs. Rockville – L 0-3

10/03/08 vs. Newington – L 0-3

10/17/08 vs. South Windsor – L 0-3

Scores provided by the CIAC

For More Information

http://mansfield.htnp.com/sports/sports_schedules/578.html