After almost two years of work, a plan to build a family fun center on the CrossPlex campus is becoming real.

The facility will include a skating rink, bowling lanes, an arcade area and separate video gaming and e-sports gaming centers, a bounce zone, food court, table games, outdoor pickleball courts and four sensory zones, along with event space for rent.

Discussions about the project have been going on since January 2023, Mayor Randall Woodfin told the City Council during a meeting Tuesday. He said it was important to provide safe, family-oriented entertainment options in one venue for people on the West Side, so they don’t have to drive across town to reach activities. He also said the center should create 75 jobs.

“This will be a huge draw for families, not just in Birmingham but the surrounding communities,” Councilor Carol Clarke said during Tuesday’s meeting. “It’s going to serve as another public anchor for this land on the CrossPlex property that can spark additional development in western Birmingham.”

The council approved $15 million for construction of the venue during that meeting after being assured that that amount is the total, including furnishings. They also asked to be provided with monthly updates on the project, which is expected to take about 18 months to complete.

Woodfin said preliminary site work already has been done in anticipation of using this parcel next to CrossPlex, so construction can begin soon.

Councilors also were concerned about security at the site. Woodfin said the venue operator will be responsible for security plans, in consultation with the city. But he assured the council that metal detectors would be used at entrances to the facility.

The city is providing funding by backing a bond issue between the Public Athletic, Cultural and Entertainment Facilities Board, called the PACE board, and PNC Bank.

Cornell Wesley, director of the Office of Innovation and Economic Opportunity, said VenuWorks has been identified as the venue manager and will be working with the PACE board during development.

The center could bring in about $85,000 in revenue per month, according to projections presented last year to the council.