Jak's Warehouse Indoor Family Fun Center is closing its longtime Schererville location after 12 years, but the Schererville YMCA plans to take the adjoining space over for a major expansion.
The family amusem*nt center opened at221 U.S. 41 in 2012 and has since faced increased competition from similar facilities, including the Sky Zone Trampoline Park and Up Your Alley entertainment center just down the street in Schererville.
Jak's Warehouse decided not to renew its lease, and will close on Sept. 1. All gift certificates and redemption points must be redeemed by then.
“All of us from Jak’s Warehouse are so thankful for everyone who enjoyed our family fun center over the last 12+ years. We are so pleased that the space can continue to serve families and youth in the area through the YMCA to make amazing memories for decades to come," Jak's Warehouse owners said in a statement.
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The neighboring Schererville Family YMCA plans to expand into the space, adding a new fitness center, larger group fitness studios and a Kids Zone.
Crossroads YMCA, which also operates YMCA facilities in Crown Point, Griffith, Whiting, Hammond and Hobart, took over theformer Omni and Franciscan Fitness Center gym in 2021. It was long Omni 41 Health and Fitness, a gym that once had a bar by the basketball courts and a cigarette vending machine at the entrance.
Now under the YMCA's management, the facility includes a gym, a track, basketball courts, a pool, racquetball courts, group fitness studios, day care and countless programs for children, youth, adults and seniors.
It serves 20,000 members and sees about 55,000 visits each month. The YMCA is planning a major expansion that includes a renovation of its existing space and a takeover of the former Jak's space.
Construction will start in November and run through August of next year. Phase III of the facility is slated to open in September 2024.
Plans call for a new welcoming entrance, membership area, social spaces, café area, fitness center, track, functional fitness areas, sports performance training spaces, group fitness studios, Kids Zone, Kids Club and youth studios. It will add more parking, pickleball courts and three full-sized courts for basketball and volleyball.
“Crossroads YMCA looks forward to continuing to serve the community in meaningful ways through the Schererville Family YMCA with this new renovation opportunity. We are so thankful for our staff, members and participants who make the Y a special place to learn, grow and thrive," said Jay Buckmaster, president and CEO of Crossroads YMCA.
The YMCA is a national nonprofit that encourages youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. It serves 22 million people nationwide, offering memberships on a sliding scale based on income.
Crossroads YMCA owns the 60,000-square-foot space that Jak's Warehouse occupied. Jak's replaced the former Blade 'n Skate and was long a popular spot for kids and families. It offered an array of family-friendly amenities, such as laser tag, bumper cars, go-karts, Ballocity, a Sky Trail ropes course, an arcade, a nine-hole golf course and party rooms for birthday parties.
It was often named Best in the Region by Times of Northwest Indiana readers.
Northwest Indiana is still home to many family amusem*nt centers, such as Zao Island in Valparaiso, Fireflies Fun Zone in Chesterton, Zig-E's Funland in St. John and the Retro Family Fun Center in North Judson.
A slew of new amusem*nt centers have opened in recent years, including Kids Empire at the Southlake Mall, Ninja Kidz Action Park in Hammond and Urban Air Adventure Park near the Southlake Mall in Hobart.
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