Yellowknife (Sep 29/04) - The new wave in the form of a family fun zone is about to hit McDonald's in Yellowknife.

Kids will have access to an air hockey table, a Nintendo machine with four screens that up to eight kids can play at a time, a foosball table and a couple of touch screens so the toddlers can play with the parents, said Al Nielsen, franchise operator.

Al Nielsen, who runs McDonald's Yellowknife franchise, stands in front of the new family fun zone he is adding.

The family fun zone is big on adult participation. There will be benches for mom and dad to sit on and the kids will be able to colour the touch screen or play match games.

"It's really neat," said Nielsen, who has been in Yellowknife for two and a half years and with McDonald's for close to 23 years.

The idea behind the fun zone is to provide a new service for the people of Yellowknife.

"I wanted to give to the community and also to give something for the kids to do on a real cold day in Yellowknife. It's nice to come for a coffee, as a parent, and have your children entertained while you talk to another parent for a half hour or so," he said.

Nielsen said the cost is well over $300,000.

There are not too many of the new wave fun zones out there.

"We'll be one of the first to get it," he said.

Along with the new play area, the lobby is being remodelled.

"The whole lobby will be gutted out and new furniture will be put in, as well as a propane fireplace," said Nielsen.

Work should be complete by the end of October.

Despite the remodelling, Nielsen says he doesn't have any immediate plans to add seating to the restaurant.

The seating area is only around 75 per cent full even at the busiest time, he said

"Now we'll have a chance to be closer to 100 per cent full," he said.