Andretti Indoor Karting & Games in Schaumburg awaiting green flag to open Tuesday
Anticipated for four years, just five days remain for Andretti Indoor Karting & Games to open its northernmost U.S. location in Schaumburg and anchor the first phase of a new entertainment district there.
The 98,000-square-foot entertainment venue at 1441 Thoreau Drive North features high-speed electric Superkarts on a multilevel track, a state-of-the-art arcade, professional racing simulators, Hologate VR, Hyperdeck VR, a two-story laser tag arena, Spark Interactive Duckpin Bowling and a 7D Xperience Motion Theater.
For a lifelong fan of car racing and the Andretti family, it’s much more than just another new business for Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly.
“I am so excited but also almost overwhelmed to have them in this village,” he said. “It’s going to provide the catalyst for the development of the entertainment district.”
An RSVP-only sneak preview at 11 a.m. Tuesday attended by racing legend Mario Andretti and other members of his family will be followed by a 4 p.m. public opening.
The venue provides karting for age and height categories of about 4-7 years old and 7-12 years old prior to the higher-speed vehicles for teens and adults with driver’s licenses, General Manager Tedd Brewer said. The four tracks intertwine on three stories, with a viewing area right beside them.
Outside of the karting tracks, the eerily lit maze of the laser tag arena and VR experiences are expected to be big draws. Brewer’s own favorite is the 7D Dark Ride Adventure.
“I think this is the coolest of the VR experiences,” he said. “I’ve never done anything quite like this before.”
Like the 12 other existing locations, Schaumburg’s offers a handcrafted dining menu, full bar and in-house gourmet catering with event and meeting space able to host groups from 10 to 2,000 people.
Unique to the Schaumburg location is its footprint and the design of its karting tracks, Brewer said.
The $30 million investment into the Schaumburg economy will ultimately employ between 250 and 300 people. When first proposed, it was estimated to generate about $955,000 per year in consumer taxes for the village, based on an expectation of $16 million in annual sales.
Situated at the west end of the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel’s campus off Meacham Road, Andretti Karting and a new six-level, 900-space public parking deck replace long-held plans for a performing art center.
The parking deck was designed not only for existing parking demands but future growth of the entertainment district. Dailly said one thing in particular he hopes becomes a component is a live entertainment venue like a House of Blues or Palatine’s Durty Nellie’s.
Schaumburg Economic Development Director Matt Frank also recognizes great potential in Andretti Karting’s opening.
“We anticipate that this will lead to interest from other users to invest in the entertainment district,” he said. “This will be a driver for more traffic and business in the area and at the Renaissance. I know they are working on packages for hotel guests and meeting planners.”
Approaching its 20th anniversary this fall, the Renaissance Hotel completed a $30 million renovation of its own last fall. Management of the village-owned facility also sees its new neighbor as a boon.
“The addition of Andretti Kart Racing further enhances the competitive positioning of the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, drawing increased interest from association, group and leisure traveler,” General Manager Dieter Heigl said.
On Saturday, March 14, the first 100 guests of the day will receive one hour of free arcade play for a future visit and be entered into a raffle for a free birthday party valued up to $500. Ten guests will win free arcade play for a year. Certain restrictions apply.