A 'Hub' of fun and games
It sounds like teen heaven.
Christ Community Church hosts the grand opening of The Hub -- a $4.2 million, 17,500-square-foot addition strictly for teens -- at its St. Charles campus this weekend.
Middle school students are invited for an evening of gaming, karaoke, music and food at 7:30 p.m. Friday. High school students can participate in Wii tournaments, pool and foosball games at 6:45 p.m. Sunday at the church at Bolcum and Randall roads in St. Charles Township.
There will even be break dancing and a performance by a professional BMX bicycle team at Sunday's event.
"It's pretty spectacular, it has every bell and whistle," said church communications director Brian Beatty of the new addition.
The Hub will feature billiard tables, foosball, air hockey, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation and commercial arcade games. There is also a lounge and cafe area that can accommodate 300 hungry students looking for some relaxation.
A 400-seat auditorium with the latest in sound equipment is still under construction. The auditorium will be used for concerts and special worship events.
"We want to attract kids from all over, it's not just for those in our congregation," Beatty said.
"Our philosophy is that we built it for the kids that aren't here yet," he added. "They can come to The Hub but they don't have to come to church. At this tender age, we know that students are still struggling with their identity and their independence. We want to give them a place where they can be themselves."
Beatty said construction of The Hub is the final phase of a three-year building campaign in which the church raised almost $11 million. The first phase was the opening of KidsWorld, which is an entire wing for younger children, complete with classrooms, a theater and indoor play areas. KidsWorld is also at the St. Charles campus.
"Our whole campaign was an investment in the next generation," Beatty said. "We believe strongly in putting the money where our hearts are."
Beatty said the church has been growing steadily for 20 years. There are about 5,000 members at the three locations.
The Blackberry Creek campus is at 40W098 Galena Blvd. in Aurora and the DeKalb campus is at 1600 E. Lincoln Highway.
For details, call (630) 485-3300 or visit www.ccclife.org.