EUTAW-Ladies and gentlemen, please start the engines as the first annual Eutaw 500 is finally underway thanks to the dreams of one local couple.

Jasper and Catherine Means, owners of Means Construction have built a raceway complete with six go-carts shaped like little Indy cars in hopes of giving the children of West Alabama something to do besides sit at home. The name of the business is “Raceway 2K”.

“This has been a dream of ours for sometime now,” Means said, “We just wanted to give the children something to enjoy in Greene County.”

The official opening of “Raceway 2K” was held on Friday at the stores location on U.S. Highway 43. Many people from the various city and county governments including Judge Eurlen Isaac, Sheriff Johnny Isaac, and Mayor Raymond Steele attended the event too wish the Mean’s business success.

Means said when he first started Means Construction, back in 1988 with just one back-ho and two employees, he couldn’t believe the success he had and since then he said his wife wanted a raceway for the kids. So, he finally kept his word to his wife and built her a racetrack.

“God just put this vision in my heart and once he does that, you have no choice, but to do what’s asked of you,” Means said.

He said they also liked the idea of something for the children because there is a 99 percent chance that a child won’t bring alcohol or a gun to this type of business. He said he has already put about $75,000 into this project, but he thinks that it is a very solid investment into the City of Eutaw and Greene County.

“I would like to thank my business partners Richard and Claudia, who own the Battlezone next to us,” Means said.

He said the racetrack’s hours of operation are Monday-Thursday Noon to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday Noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m.-9 p.m. The prices per ride are $2.50 for five minutes, which works out to about 11 laps on the track and $5 for an adult and child riding in the double car.

“All riders must be at least 54″ in height or they must ride with their parents,” Means said.

He said their future plans include a waterslide, a putt-putt golf course, and batting cages. He also said as long as this business does well, he said the thought of expanding the fun center is a certain.