Funspot looks to build hotel

Bob Lawton, the principal owner of Funspot, want to see a new moderately priced “family” hotel built next to his famous arcade on Route 3 in Weirs Beach.

Lawton, general manager and patriarch of his family-owned business, said yesterday that he’s hoping to attract a national chain like Best Western or Day’s Inn to the five-acre piece of land north of Funspot. He’d like to see a 100-room facility with room prices ranging between $80-100 per night at current market prices, although he admitted he’s not exactly sure how things could work out.

“We don’t know the hotel business – and we know that we don’t know the hotel business,” Lawton laughed.

Bill McLean, a Gilford commercial real estate appraiser and broker, said he’s spoken with Lawton about the hotel idea.

“When you look at what’s happening in the market I think there’s really going to be room for a family-oriented hotel-type property in the Lakes Region,” McLean said. “And Bob’s concept of building that type of property adjacent to Funspot I think is a winner.”

One portion of the property could also be used for a high-end recreational vehicle (RV) park, McLean said.

The parcel of land, which is currently owned by Lawton and his family, is to the immediate north of Funspot, lying between the facility’s miniature golf course and driving range, and Stonewall Corner Campground. The land has not been used the last few years, McLean said.

Lawton said there are natural benefits to building a hotel on the Route 3 site.

“They don’t need a restaurant because there’s one right across the street, J.T.’s Bar-B-Q which is a nice place,” he said. “And you’d have Funspot – the second largest arcade in the country – next door. You can’t ask for a better rec room.”

Lawton said his family’s preference would be to lease the property to the hotel chain, which would then build the structure.

“Our number one choice would be a land-lease arraignment,” he said. “I’d rather work with national chains.”

Lawton said he’s planning on closing down the driving range at the end of this summer.

McLean said the miniature golf course would also likely be closed or moved if the hotel plan goes forward.

“I’ve not done a formal feasibility study yet but all my instincts tell me that this transformation is the way to go,” MacLean said.