Playing their hearts out
Kids getting a little stir crazy during winter break?
Too cold or wet to go outside?
Looking for something different that's near you?
The folks at the Savage Fun Center, a new business in Elgin, believe they have the answer to all three of those questions.
It's 22,000 square feet and filled with inflatable games and obstacles, giant slides, a bungee ride, air hockey and other attractions.
General manager Betsy Stemple said the facility at 940 E. Chicago St. opened in mid-November.
Admission is $12 for the entire day and includes unlimited use of rides, including a Eurobungy, a large contraption in which four people can bounce around in a harness.
"We're getting a lot of moms who meet here during the day and the kids play their little hearts out," she said. "It certainly is much bigger on the inside that it is on the outside."
Barry Savage is president of Carpentersville-based Savage Entertainment, the center's parent company.
While winter is very slow for inflatable rentals, Savage said the indoor location -- open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily -- allows families to have free rein on the best obstacles his company has to offer.
"My goal was to blow people away with what we have," Savage said, noting the building has room for eight inflatable rides, but his company has 40.
"We make it age appropriate. Every time you come in here -- at least one or two rides will be different," he said. "We don't want it to become a 'been-there, done-that' type of place."
Private rooms also are available at the facility for birthday parties, fundraisers and catered events. Concessions also are available at what Savage calls reasonable prices.
Friday nights also have live bands from 7 to 11 p.m.
On Saturday, the event center will hold a family-friendly concert, featuring three local bands.
The Qballs play blues and the Stormcrows and Liberty Teeth both specialize in classic rock.
Admission for bands is $9 and another $7 for a wristband for the rest of the facility.
For details, call (224) 856-5060 or visit savageeventcenter.com.
If you go
What: Savage Fun and Event Center
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; teen rock band night 6 to 11 p.m. Friday. Family friendly concert planned for Saturday from 6 until at least 11 p.m.
Where: 940 E. Chicago St., Elgin
Cost: The concert costs $9 and you'll pay an additional $7 for rides. On non-concert days, admission is $12 for unlimited rides and attractions.
Call: (224) 856-5060