Funway celebrates 50 years of entertaining the community

Batavia 2nd Ward Alderman Alan Wolff can't listen to a Donna Summer song these days without thinking of roller skating at Funway in the 1970s.

"It is a great place to have a party," said Wolff, who now brings his children to Funway so they can create their own memories.

For 50 years, Funway has been a destination for fun. Funway Ultimate Entertainment Center is celebrating its anniversary this week with discounted prices and giveaways each night.

Activities include a Christian Skate Night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. today, Spirit Night from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday when participants are urged to wear school colors from any era and an all-day unlimited Funway appreciation weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

One of Wolff's favorite activities at Funway are the go carts.

"I liked racing," Wolff said. "The racing part was just tons and tons of fun and it's still fun."

Go-carts were Funway's first attraction when it opened in 1959. Over the years, Funway has grown to offer considerably more than just go-cart racing.

"We keep it new," said Funway owner Bob Hansen. "We might be 50 years old, but we keep it modern. We are always adding new attractions."

Hansen bought the entertainment center in 1990 from original owners Richard and Joy Buri.

"I travel the country to look for new ideas," he said. "There are lots of trade shows in the industry."

In 2004, the entertainment center gained a 20-lane bowling alley that has proved to be popular.

"The community has accepted it very well," Hansen said.

Funway saw more changes in 2007 with new go carts and bumper boats and its newest attraction, rock 'n' roll miniature golf. That year, Funway also celebrated the 30th year of its concrete roller-skating received an updated sound and light system.

Patrons will likely see another new attraction at Funway in the near future, but Hansen is not yet ready to announce what it is.

"We are working on a new project," Hansen said. "We are 75 percent there."

He does get a kick out of knowing that Funway has entertained generations of people.

"What's fun to hear is, 'I used to come here when I was a kid,' Hansen said. "Grandparents are coming here with their grandkids."

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If you go

What: Funway Ultimate Entertainment Center

Where: 1335 S. River St. (Route 25), Batavia

Information: 630-879-8717 or www.funway.com.

Today: Christian Skate Night, 6:30 to 9 p.m.; $6 gets you any type of skate and your favorite Christian rock on the floor. There will be music, giveaways and raffles.

Friday: Spirit Night; 7 to 11 p.m. $6 gets you any type of skate. Participants are encouraged to were their school colors.

Saturday and Sunday: All day unlimited Funway appreciation weekend. Get a three-hour bracelet for $9.95 that includes unlimited mini-golf,  jump shot,  roller skating, bumper cars and  bumper boats. For an additional $6, you get two games of bowling and two go-cart rides.