Amusement Park News

Maui Indoor Theme Park has taken over what was once Owensboro, Kentucky's Towne Square Mall. The project represents an $18.3 million private investment and is expected to bring 125 new jobs to the area. Owensboro was selected as the flagship location for the new approximately 130,000-square-foot family entertainment center and indoor theme park.

According to the venture's regional manager, Tom Cardiff of Jester FEC, "The community has been really excited about this." Despite opening delays, the project held a soft opening in early May, followed by its grand opening on May 29.

The park, which includes arcade games, rides, and mini golf, offers a strong draw for families throughout the region, according to Maui's general manager, Mike Shockley.

"I'm excited to have new people from the community come in, especially because it's something for Owensboro to do," Shockley says. "Families can enjoy activities here rain or shine."

While Owensboro itself is not a particularly large market, Cardiff notes that more than 300,000 residents live within a 45-minute drive of the city. Originally, Maui Indoor Theme Park was going to be integrated into the Malibu Jack's brand, which still operates several family entertainment centers under that name. However, according to Cardiff, the larger space and expanded offerings called for a new brand identity.

The indoor theme park concept emerged when local investors approached Jester FEC in hopes of finding a way to revive the mall, which currently contains only one other attraction, a Planet Fitness.

Maui's is expected to draw plenty of visitors to the otherwise quiet location. One of the park's standout attractions, according to Cardiff, is the SBF/Visa spinning coaster. Other major attractions include bumper cars, go-karts, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, laser tag, and duckpin bowling.

The park also features a swinging ship ride and a dark ride. The latter is a 4D interactive motion theater that allows guests to use lasers to blast virtual targets from moving seats. Shockley points out that the go-kart track is one of the largest in the region.

Also part of Maui Indoor Theme Park is a large children's area featuring climbing structures, inflatables, and a pedal kart track. There is also a dedicated toddler play area for the youngest guests.

Food concessions include pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and a small bar serving adult beverages. Party planners have not been forgotten, either. The facility offers six party rooms and a larger VIP room that can accommodate up to 60 guests. Cardiff says the park can also provide catering for special events.

He envisions Maui Indoor Theme Park as just the beginning of a larger regional entertainment destination that could eventually include attractions such as skating and other features that would create a more complete entertainment experience.

The theme park is open seven days a week, with expanded hours during the summer when schools are out.

Community interest is already high. More than 1,500 attendees filled the park during its soft opening, transforming the otherwise empty mall into a hub of activity. Shockley says the opening demonstrated "lots of excitement" for "something Owensboro's needed for a long time."

"The future we envisioned for this whole property was bigger than just the Malibu Jack's concept," says Jester FEC Vice President Steve Hatton. "We felt it was time to rebrand it as something newer and bigger because that's what we want it to grow into."

Hatton says the Maui name reflects a shift toward a more immersive, resort-style atmosphere, inspired in part by destinations such as Pigeon Forge. "We want this to be more than just an indoor theme park," he explains. "We hope there may be an outdoor component at some point."

He notes that these larger-scale plans are still under consideration within the company. However, new rides are already in development for the current facility, and company leaders are encouraged by the community's strong response to the opening.

Hatton describes the venue's location as "key." Owensboro had long been a market the company wanted to enter, but it had not previously found the right property.

The former mall location, however, felt like the perfect fit. The company had previously redeveloped a former mall space in Ashland, Kentucky, with considerable success. According to Hatton, the Ashland location was "a huge success" that put the company "on the radar with a lot of people that own malls" throughout the region.

Once shown the Owensboro property, Hatton says the company knew it was "one hundred percent" the location it wanted. It is Jester FEC's fourth mall-based location, but the first operating under the Maui brand.

Admission to Maui Indoor Theme Park is free. Guests who want to enjoy rides, arcade games, the climbing structures, and other attractions must purchase play cards. Visitors can load any amount onto the cards and can split or share the balance among multiple cards if desired.