June 30, 2014 Toad s Fun Zone, Mulligans Creekside get facelift Management has made improvements to facilities By JESUS LOPEZ JR. Standard-Examiner staff MARRIOTT- SLATERVILLE __,— The go-karts have new tires, the water features in the miniature golf course are flowing, and the pitching machines are launching balls smoothly. The driving range is still open and green, while inside of the club repair center, golfers can have their swing analyzed by a series of high-speed cameras. Many improvements have been made in the last six months at Toad's Fun Zone and Mulligans Creekside Golf Center, 1690 W. 400 North, courtesy of the new management company running the property. "It's been a lot of work in the last couple of months by everybody," said Turner C. Bitton, vice president of Pioneer Management Inc. Pioneer Management assumed control of the amusement center and golf course after Intermountain Healthcare purchased the property Jan. 18. McKay-Dee Hospital spokesman Chris Dallin said Intermountain is not getting into the mini-golf business. It purchased the property for future long- Standard-Examiner file photo An overview of the arcade at Toad's Fun Zone and Mulligans Creekside Golf Center, 1690 W. 400 North, Marriott-Slaterville from 2008. Intermountain Healthcare purchased the property for future long-term development. A new management company is making improvements to the center. term plans; Toad's Fun Zone just happened to be on that property. "Population projections show that west Weber County continues to grow, and we want to be able to continue to serve the health-care needs of the population," Dallin said. In the meantime, Intermountain contracted with Marriott-Slaterville to run operations at Toad's Fun Zone, which in turn, entrusted the job to Pioneer Management. Bitton said since taking over the center, the management company has been busy making improvements on the property, giving the center some tender, loving care. They have gone back to the old Mulligan's name on the golf course, renaming it Mulligans Creekside Golf Center. "We are trying to provide everything for a golfer, young, old, beginning to advanced," said Kip Van Dyke, the center's head golf professional. The golf center includes training, lessons, club repair, a year-round driving range and a nine-hole executive golf course. The new management hired a new superintendent to oversee the golf course. "The condition and the playability of the golf course are improving every day," Van Dyke said. See TOAD'S I Page 7B