By Teresa Bird
The only go-kart track on Vancouver Island is celebrating its 10th year of family fun in Parksville.
Fast Time Amusement Park was the dream of owner Norm Spann almost 20 years ago after seeing the track at Saratoga.
“I talked to local race enthusiasts and I thought it would be fun for open a go-kart track,” said Spann.
It took eight years to open the facility of his dreams.
“At first I wanted it to be indoors, but the government rules made that difficult so it had to morph into an outdoor experience,” said Spann.
He eventually found a suitable 2.5-acre property out on Springhill Road and once all the permissions were in place it took just 10 weeks to build the 0.5-kilometre track. Spann sought out the expertise of others and purchased high-end karts and other equipment from a company in France.
“They look like Formula I cars,” said Spann. “We started with 20 adults karts but now we have 40. Twenty-six for adults, 10 for eight-to-14-year-olds, three two-person karts and one hand controlled cart.”
The track has a timing system that picks up lap time, speed, etc., and prints out the results for up to a dozen cars in a race.
Other tracks including Saratoga have shut down and Fast Time is the only one still operating on Vancouver Island.
Since opening, Spann has added other activities including axe-throwing, bullseye archery, archery tag and laser tag. There is also a picnic area with tents and tables so family can make a day of it. Fast time is also popular for birthdays, celebrations or corporate events.
They operate from mid-March to the end of October and employ up to 16 people in the summer.
In celebration of their 10th anniversary Fast Time is giving away weekly T-shirts with “Fastest Time” on them for the fastest adult and fastest junior of each week.Visit their website at www.fasttime.ca.
Award-winning spirits
Misguided Spirits Distillery has added more hardware to its trophy case.
This time at the Bartender Spirits Awards in San Francisco June 7. Misguided Spirits’ Brother XII vodka took the gold medal while Spectral Gin brought home silver. The two spirits were among hundreds from around that world that judged at the competition. For more information: www.misguidedspirits.ca.
Cook Culture opens shop
Cook Culture, a kitchen supply store from Victoria has opened shop in Parksville. Located at the corner of McMillan Street and the Island Highway, Cook Culture carries a wide variety of kitchen supplies, cookware, tools and utensils and teaches how to use them with cooking classes.
“Everything we do at Cook Culture is to help you have more fun in the kitchen, eat better, be healthier, enjoy time with family, friends and food, and connect with the people who grow and make what you eat,” says the company website. “We’ll help you find the right kitchen equipment, improve your kitchen skills with Cooking Classes, taught by great chefs and instructors, and learn about fresh, seasonal foods and local producers.”
Info: www.cookculture.com .
20 years by the sea
The Summer by the Sea Street Market is celebrating its 20th year with more than 130 vendors every Tuesday evening on Craig Street. The market is popular with locals and visitors looking for a unique experience. An eclectic mix of local merchants, artisans, craftspeople, farmers, entertainers and of course food vendors.
For a complete list of vendors go to www.parksvillechamber.com.
Do you have business news to share? Contact PQB News publisher Teresa Bird at teresa.bird@blackpress.ca
