Indoor Mini-Golf Course Planned At Former Chuck E. Cheese

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A building that has been vacant for the past six years might soon have a new tenant. Mark Giannecchini, who currently runs the neighboring Arlington Lanes bowling alley, is hoping to open an 18-hole miniature golf course at a former Chuck E. Cheese location in Arlington Heights.

He got one step closer to his wish earlier this week when the Arlington Heights Village Board unanimously granted a special use permit for the new business, M&M Mini-Golf. In addition to golf, Giannecchini plans to build a snack shop and install coin-operated games in the 8,400-square-foot building at 955 W Dundee Road. The project had been previously approved by the Plan Commission.

"The mini-golf facility and restaurant would certainly be a welcome addition to Arlington Heights, especially because there's no business of this type within 15 miles," said project attorney John Clery in addressing the board.

He added that there will be "substantial" upgrades to the site including improvements to the parking lot, including the installation of multiple landscape islands to meet the current Village code requirements.

The miniature golf course would also have glow-in-the-dark capability, according to the proposal. It can be divided into two nine-hole courses to accommodate two kids' birthday parties concurrently. The course will also be handicapped accessible.

Food service would be provided on-site, according to the plan, with a 500 square-foot seating area for patrons. No liquor service has been proposed at this time.

With Village code requiring at least 61 parking spaces at the location, the proposal can accommodate 69 spaces.

"I do think this is a really nice use for this building that has been vacant for a very long period of time, so we very much appreciate [the investment] in our community," Mayor Tom Hayes said. "I'm looking forward to many years of success at this location [for this business]."

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