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New Finger Lakes entertainment venue revs up visitors. What to know about The Yard FLX.

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New Finger Lakes entertainment venue revs up visitors. What to know about The Yard FLX.

Aimee Barton felt like she was coming home when she arrived at 2374 state Route 414 in Watkins Glen for the first time.

The shuttered go-kart track and entertainment venue was exactly what she was looking for in a new business venture.  

“From the minute I pulled in I could absolutely see everything I wanted on the property and how it would come to life. It was like a hidden gem,” Barton recalled. “I fell in love and had to buy it.”

Barton is hoping guests get the same welcoming feeling for years to come at The Yard FLX, which opened Memorial Day weekend and formally cuts the ribbon on a new era at the facility on Friday.

The facility features go-kart tracks, miniature golf, yard games, live music and more at the Schuyler County entertainment complex just a few miles from Watkins Glen International.

“I want it to feel like you’re coming home to your yard, and we get to clean up the garbage for you,” said Barton. “Anybody from 8-80 can come here and laugh and take memories home. That’s the most important part for me. It’s about making memories with your friends, family, your community. That’s really what I want, a cool place to hang out for a few hours and ride a go-kart or have a beer.”

What’s new at The Yard FLX

A go-kart track was built on the property in the 1980s and the facility has expanded over the ensuing decades through multiple ownership groups. Barton’s team conducted an “immense amount of renovations” after she acquired the property in December.

The racetrack was resurfaced, along with a good portion of the mini golf course. The interior of the entertainment building was renovated with the additions of a bar and an axe-throwing area that will come online in the next few weeks.

New go-karts are also expected to arrive soon, allowing The Yard to open its second track for evening use. The fountains and waterfalls on the golf course are receiving a refresh as well.

The Yard is hosting live music all summer every Friday and Saturday, with food trucks onsite for meals. Spaces are available to rent for events like birthday, graduation and bachelor parties.  

Longterm, Barton is exploring new additions to the 18-acre property. A driving range is at the top of the list.

“A girl’s dream is only as big as her revenue,” Barton joked. “I have a lot of plans. If we get the community out here to keep supporting us, things will continue to happen.”

Community, affordability focus at The Yard

Barton is not a stranger to business ownership, operating Supreme Lending in Corning. After visiting a fun venue in Dallas, she was inspired to get into the entertainment business and bring a similar experience to the Finger Lakes area.

“We employ a lot of great kids here. I’m really excited to bring this back to our community and foster a sense of place and community,” said Barton.

The Yard is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with hours extended to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Barton said The Yard will keep prices low to keep visits affordable for families.  

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“We live in an economy right now where people can’t afford a vacation. A family of four can ride go-karts and play mini golf here for $80 and participate in all of our free yard games,” said Barton. “We have an eight-foot-tall battleship the Corning high school shop class built that’s free. Cornhole is free. That’s part of giving local families affordability.”

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