Kids with August and September birthdays can once again consider having a party at one of Helena's traditional celebratory hotspots. The former Recreation Station on Custer Avenue, home to laser tag, go-karts, batting cages and other stuff to keep kids entertained for hours, is scheduled to reopen on Saturday as Tons of Fun.

The Recreation Station closed around the first of the year. Jack Collishaw, a Helena High grad -- class of 1960 -- who these days splits time between here and the Bay Area, purchased the property and asked one of the former owners to come back and run the business.

"I acquired the facility for the land," Collishaw said, but decided to keep the business in place, at least for now, after hearing from a number of former customers that they want the business open again. If he finds another use for the busy Custer Avenue location, he said he'll relocate Tons of Fun somewhere else in town.

"When I was graduating from high school, I would complain to my mother and anyone who would listen that there was nothing to do," he said. "I realized that if I closed the business, I'd be 'one of them.' "

The place was hopping this week, as former owner Debra Moore was collecting job applications, blowing the dust off the fixtures, overseeing landscaping improvements and making sure the new ersatz turf on the miniature golf course will be ready for this weekend's reopening.

"The new owner asked me to step back in, and I agreed," Moore said. "I've had so many kids say, 'Please open back up, we didn't get to have a party this year.' "

Moore said birthday parties typically make up a third of the business, with school and church groups also chipping in.

In addition to the full complement of activities regular customers will remember, including air hockey, a snack bar and more than 30 video arcade games, Moore said Tons of Fun will feature a climbing wall and bungee/trampoline activity.

John Harrington can be reached at 447-4080 or john.harrington@helenair.com.