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Champions Fun Center in Lincoln is closed permanently

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go-kart

Champions Fun Center, which offered numerous activities, including go-karts, has closed.

COURTESY PHOTO

Matt Olberding

Champions offers FUN for everyone!

Champions Fun Center has announced it will close permanently, but the building apparently already has a new tenant.

The entertainment complex at 1555 Yolande Ave. that offered miniature golf, go-karts, bowling, an arcade and other activities, closed in November because of the coronavirus pandemic and had said on its Facebook page that it planned to reopen this spring.

But last week, the business posted on its page that it was closing permanently.

“COVID-19 and 2020 have been rough on us all, including Champions Fun Center,” the post reads. “It is with heavy hearts that we have decided to close. Thanks for your support over the last 20 years.”

Mini-golf entrepreneur to open Prehistoric Putt indoor course in Lincoln

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In addition to restrictions on activities due to COVID-19, Champions also faced more competition over the past couple of years. Last spring, a dinosaur-themed indoor miniature golf business opened three blocks away, and Sun Valley Lanes last year unveiled a $4 million expansion that added miniature golf, laser tag and volleyball to the bowling alley in west Lincoln.

The Champions building will apparently find new life as youth basketball and fitness gym.

VRLY Storm Basketball posted Thursday on its Facebook page that it has taken over the building and is turning it into a a facility called Club LNK, which it describes as “a membership-based gym where youth can come be active, hang out with friends, and have a facility that is focused on solutions for kids.”

Lincoln mini-golf course looks to add alcohol
Marcus puts Edgewood Cinema up for sale but says it’s not necessarily closing

PhotoFiles: A roller coaster and thrill rides at Capitol Beach

The Bug

The Bug

In 1955, 185 children were entertained at the Lincoln Exchange Club’s annual Sunshine Special. The “Bug” was the group’s favorite ride at Capitol Beach.

Journal Star file photo

Burlington Beach

Burlington Beach

Called Burlington Beach until 1912, the park featured a 50-passenger steamer, swimming pool, a Penny Arcade, Fun House and a roller coaster. It was also where William McKinley made a presidential campaign speech in 1896.

Nebraska State Historical Society

Roller Coaster

Roller Coaster

This 1931 aerial photo taken of Capitol Beach may bring back memories of pleasant Fourth of July outings to the once-popular amusement park. The park featured a roller coaster, a carnival, kiddie rides, swimming pool, dance hall and later stock car racing.

Journal Star file photo

Queen of the Blue

Queen of the Blue

The excursion steamer Queen of the Blue operated in the 1890s on Old Salt Lake, then called Burlington Beach. The 50-passenger excursion boat was one of the attractions said to draw 150,000 visitors a year.

Journal Star file photo

Out on the lake

Out on the lake

In Capitol Beach’s heyday, boating was a great attraction that would only cost 50 cents per hour. The beach was a popular resort situated about a mile west of downtown Lincoln.

Journal Star file photo

Relaxing at the pool

Relaxing at the pool

The Capitol Beach neighborhood once was known for its salt basins, amusement park and swimming pool that attracted 150,000 people each season.

Journal Star file photo

Beauty Contest

Beauty Contest

Winners of the bathing beauty contest held at the Capitol Beach grocers and butchers picnic area in 1952 were Diane DeVriendt, Coddey Freeland, and Christine Evans.

Journal Star file photo

Preparation for the summer season

Preparation for the summer season

Lincoln’s Capitol Beach amusement park appears ready for the summer crowd in 1952. The park lasted for more than 50 years before the amusement devices were removed in 1962 to make way for Capitol Beach Manor.  

Journal Star file photo

Train Wreck

Train Wreck

This 1956 photo shows the wreckage left after part of the miniature train at the Capitol Beach amusement park tipped over, spilling young passengers and injuring the children.

Journal Star file photo

Along for the ride

Along for the ride

Kids are joined by their parents as statehouse employees gathered at Capitol Beach in 1959. Don Kusy, Department of Roads worker, shares a train ride with little Mary and Mark. Rear seat passengers are Lura Marshall, Kathy Nicholson and Linda Marshall.

Journal Star file photo

Memories

Memories

This picture shows the deterioration of Lincoln’s amusement park in 1962.

Journal Star file photo

A new beginning

A new beginning

Ugly weeds have grown around the deserted buildings of Capitol Beach Amusement Park in August 1962. The bright neon lights are gone and the once popular family park sits silent as wrecking crews start the process of leveling the park.

Journal Star file photo

Tearing down the gate

Tearing down the gate

On Feb. 20, 1963, Lincoln’s longtime playground takes one more step to extinction as the gates through which hundreds of thousands of fun seekers passed came tumbling down.

Journal Star file photo

Cooling off by the pool

Cooling off by the pool

Twenty-year-old graduate of the University of Nebraska, Jean Brown sits on the fountain at Capitol Beach in 1963.

Journal Star file photo

Modern Day Capitol Beach

Modern Day Capitol Beach

Through the years the amusement park equipment and buildings deteriorated and were razed, one by one. Today, the former summer hot spot is a 115-acre residential area.

Journal Star file photo

Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.

On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.

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