Groundbreaking for Cinergy Entertainment Center brings surprises

The smell of buttered popcorn filled the air on South Padre Island Drive near Rodd Field Road early Sept. 5.

City officials and representatives from Cinergy Entertainment met at a groundbreaking ceremony for the future site of the 90,000-square-foot business.

Construction is expected to start by the end of 2025. It is estimated to be completed on or before Sept. 30, 2028.

Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni said everyone is excited to enter the doors once the center opens. City Councilwoman Kaylynn Paxson added that the center will bring new jobs and amenities to the community.

“So many different families will be able to come out and enjoy a piece of this,” Paxson said to a crowd of people. “This location is a wonderful spot — it connects our university and ever-growing Southside. This is just the beginning for projects like this.”

Officials with Cinergy surprised attendees by announcing two expansions in the works for the new Corpus Christi center. One will be an additional 40,000-square-foot, three-level go-kart facility. The other will be an outdoor mini-golf attraction.

Before those two expansions come to be, the entertainment center will provide bowling, an arcade, escape rooms, food, drinks, movie theaters and more.

In July, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution to provide a tax rebate of up to $4.15 million over a 15-year period for the development of a Cinergy Family Entertainment Center in Corpus Christi’s Southside.

The new development is projected to generate almost $2 million in property taxes over 15 years after completion.

Almost $7 million is estimated to be generated for Nueces County, Del Mar College, the Nueces County Hospital District and the Corpus Christi Independent School District collectively during the same period.