The Edge64 skateboard park, former coffee shop and concert hall will reopen under the direction of Campus Life, a citywide teen ministry.

Under an agreement signed this week, Back to the Bible will give Campus Life all of the equipment — skateboard ramps; stage, sound and lighting equipment; kitchen facilities; a sound recording booth; pool and foosball tables; and other furnishings — said Bryan Carlson, executive director of Campus Life.

The equipment has an estimated value of at least $250,000, he said. In addition, Back to the Bible will give the teen ministry a free lease on the portion of the building at 6400 Cornhusker Highway that housed Edge64.

Back to the Bible closed the coffee shop and concert venue last fall and the skateboard park in January.

Carlson said the facilities will reopen as Campus Life North, augmenting services at Campus Life’s south Lincoln headquarters, 6401 Pine Lake Road.

Marv Chauza, who ran the skate park for Back to the Bible, will join the staff of Campus Life to direct the park, Carlson said. 

The rest of the facility will function as a drop-in place for teens and a meeting place for teen clubs from north Lincoln high schools. Occasional concerts and other special events also will be held there, Carlson said.

Details of how the former Edge64 will operate under the new management will be announced soon, possibly next week, and a grand opening will be scheduled, he said.

Campus Life has been in the Lincoln area since 1964 and offers a Christian youth ministry in most area high schools and middle schools.  It has 30 paid staff members and serves about 2,000 students each week, Carlson said.

Reach Bob Reeves at 473-7212 or breeves@journalstar.com.