Round Lake Beach officials have announced a vacant Rollins Road movie theater will be transformed into a new family entertainment center featuring movie screens, a restaurant, axe throwing, and an indoor Go-Kart track.
The 72,000 square-foot-facility at 550 E. Rollins Road will also feature games, a bar area, and space for meetings and parties, officials said.
The indoor Go-Kart track will be multi-level and use electric vehicles.
Thakkar Developers of Irving, Texas, is expected to submit final plans for the development in summer 2025, with an anticipated grand opening in 2026, officials said.
“We are thrilled with the plans we have seen already by the developer,” said Round Lake Beach Mayor Scott Nickles.
“When this facility opens, it will offer something for everyone and truly be a major draw for Round Lake Beach, attracting not only residents from our village, but visitors from across Lake and McHenry counties,” Nickles said.
The movie theater has been closed since January 2023 due to Regal Cinemas’ bankruptcy and subsequent closure of 39 locations nationwide.
“This new project will not only create local job opportunities, but it will also position Round Lake Beach as a go-to destination for families throughout Lake County,” said Gil Rivera, Economic Development director for the Village of Round Lake Beach.
Round Lake Beach officials recently toured the concept in Texas, officials said.
With the transformation of the property, the entertainment hub will join existing community partners in providing retail, food, and family-friendly entertainment venues in the community.
“This project, along with the addition of new restaurants currently in development, is a continuation of the Mayor and Board’s vision of enhancing our already vibrant retail and entertainment corridor,” said Gil Rivera.
The shuttered theater has been a target for past vandals, records show.
Police officers and firefighters responding to a fire alarm discovered fire damage in April 2024.
Prosecutors said two theaters of the vacant building were engulfed in flames during the arson and the lobby was destroyed, with damage estimates to be $100,000 at the least.
Anthony P. Shields, 20, of Lake Villa, and David M. Dolan, 19, of Lake Villa, were both charged with one count of arson, a Class 2 felony, due to the blaze.