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Back to the Forum Archives In a forum essay entitled Alternatives I described an entertainment and resort center that I would like to see built. For sure, I left out some of the things that need to be there. In this piece I want to add those things to the list and also describe the guest experience as I visualize it. the necessary things I overlooked in the first essay are mostly about security and shopping. Two other points I may not have made clear have to do with noise and the annoyance of guests. As to noise, In addition to prohibiting automobiles, ORV's, Snowmobiles and similar devices would be prohibited. For the nutty kids, we could have a skateboard court in an isolated area with appropriate safety supervision. Security has become a major concern in our culture as we get more and more divided into a three class society of wealthy, okay so far, and not okay ever. One thing that would enhance security in this place is the exclusion of non-guests from the entire complex. People without reservations would not be allowed to enter except on vender business. In addition, all employees would necessarily undergo a detailed background check before they are employed. Another important point is the compensation of employees. They must be paid very well. Anyone who has gone shopping must realize the problems created by the short sighted practice of employing human beings at wages that cannot possible sustain them. Desperation will cause them to behave badly. Look at the stores you shop and you will see it. In the best case, they will feel put upon and will transmit that feeling to the guests. In a worse case they may try to hustle or rob the guests. That, of course, would be unacceptable. Guests must never be annoyed by employees. Quite the opposite. Guests must be indulged by the employees. As to security, I visualize a privately trained police force who operate the way police are supposed to. We need to start thinking of our security people as helpful friends to the citizens, not as a threat. Our guards must be polite, friendly, and helpful, definitely not menacing. For that, the visible security people must not be armed and they must be very visible. I picture a cross between a Canadian Mountie and a US Marine in parade dress uniforms. Their only visible tool will be a cell phone or walkie talkie. The main function of these people will be their reassuring visible presence. In addition, they should be politely helpful with the guest. They should be able to give information about the complex and directions when needed. They should also be trained in first aid and interim life support for medical emergencies. To support that there should also be a emergency medical stand by facility for people who develop medical problems. Of course, there will be additional, not visible security people for serious problems which might arise. These people would be armed and prepared to handle any emergency. There will also be a security fire brigade. As I see it now, all of the security people will have to undergo extensive background checking. Once accepted, they will be put through a rigorous 6 month training program. Read the Gaffer's Philosophy essay 108 The Academy to get a picture of what these people must do. This training would not be quite as rigorous, but it would be intense. In fact, people so well trained would be much sought after by other establishments, including city governments. To circumvent that, we would have to pay them very well and require them to sign a long term contract to get the training. The other things this complex will need are all of the different kinds of shops that vacationing people expect to find. This would not be just souvenir shops, but real shops for clothing, jewelry, fine gifts, music, sporting goods, and anything the guest might have forgotten in packing. If a woman wants to buy a new gown, she should be able to find several fine ones in her size. If a man wants to buy a new Stetson, or a shirt, he should be able to find them. If they want a special Christmas tree ornament, fine cheese, or a special wine, these should be available, and so on. The experience: Once you have made your decisions, you can make your reservations by letter, phone or the internet. When you do, you will receive detailed travel directions including what to do when you arrive. The directions will be sent by mail to you. If you come by air, you will be picked up at the airport and brought to your accommodations. If you arrive by automobile, you will have a reserved parking place in the parking garage. From there you will be picked up by shuttle and taken to your accommodations. In no case will you have to handle your baggage. It will be removed from you vehicle and delivered to your room. There will be no check in. You already did that when you made reservations. It is silly to have to repeat steps. Your room key will be given to you by the shuttle guide once you identify yourself with you dated pass. After that, you will begin to enjoy your stay. If you made T-time reservations you take a shuttle to your first T. If you have theater tickets, you will walk or take a shuttle to the theater and so on. The whole idea behind this is no hassle. Everything is prepared and done for you and you choose everything. You choose the accommodations, the dining, and the entertainment. It is a true custom made vacation for you. There will be all kinds of accommodations. The ideal one for
me would have two bedrooms with king sized beds, a sauna, and
a whirlpool. It would have a small office/parlor with a view
of the lake and an open patio for breakfast. It would also have
a refrigerator. At the other extreme would be a no frills room.
It would be one room with a king sized bed and a bathroom with
a bath and shower. That's all.
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