Funscape: Knoxville operated as a multi-attraction entertainment center within West Town Mall, opening its doors on November 6, 1998, alongside the Regal Cinemas West Town Mall Cinema 9. Conceived by Knoxville-based Regal Cinemas as an “indoor entertainment theme park,” the 100,000-square-foot facility aimed to provide a diverse recreational experience for the local community. Unlike other Funscape locations, the Knoxville venue featured a unique metropolitan cityscape theme and offered a wide array of attractions, including two arcades, electronic bumper cars, “Bowlingo” (a hybrid of bowling and bocce ball), and a 3-D motion simulated theater known as “Star Theater.” A highlight for many visitors was the “Fun Machine Family Interactive Play Area,” a multi-story foam ball room equipped with ball blasters and a giant spiral slide, alongside virtual experiences like a Max Flight roller coaster, virtual golf, and party rooms.
The development of Funscape: Knoxville was a significant, albeit costly, project for Regal Cinemas, driven by company president Mike Campbell’s desire to contribute to his hometown. The venue quickly became a popular destination for families and youth, offering a comprehensive entertainment hub within the mall. While an exact closing date is not readily available, Funscape: Knoxville eventually ceased operations, with parts of its original layout still discernible within the reconfigured space, now home to a Cinnebarre. The venture was ultimately noted as having contributed to Regal’s overextension.
