Editing CPX Sports (section)

== History ==

=== Development ===

CPX Sports originated as Challenge Park Xtreme, a project developed by American paintball entrepreneur [[Forest Brown]] and his business partner Anderson Humphreys.

Brown had previously established Challenge Park in Joliet and operated paintball facilities in several locations. He was also associated with the tournament team [[Farside]].[1]

Brown envisaged a paintball facility incorporating the production values and themed environments of a major amusement park.

The project was developed with Chicago-based scenic construction company Scenic View, which specialised in creating realistic environments for entertainment and theme park attractions.

In July 2000, ''WARPIG'' published an extensive report by Bill Mills documenting the facility while it was under construction.

The report identified [[Brass Eagle]] as the project's largest single investor, with an investment commitment of approximately US$5.5 million.[1]

The original plans included multiple themed paintball environments, six tournament fields, spectator grandstands, retail facilities, a theatre for safety briefings and transport between playing areas.

Additional recreational facilities were planned for BMX riding, skateboarding and mountain biking.

The park was scheduled to open around September 2000 and was operating by June 2001, when it hosted the Challenge Cup tournament.[1][6]

=== Operation as CPX Sports ===

Challenge Park Xtreme subsequently operated under the CPX Sports name.

By 2008, the facility was described in contemporary promotional material as a 143-acre paintball park representing an investment of approximately US$6.5 million.[2]

The park featured more than 20 playing fields, incorporating both natural terrain and elaborate constructed environments.

Facilities included a paintball equipment shop, food concessions, covered staging areas, camping facilities and transport between playing fields.

CPX became a venue for recreational paintball, corporate outings, scenario events and competitive tournaments.

=== Closure ===

The Joliet facility closed in 2018.

The closure was publicly confirmed in February 2018, following earlier announcements that the venue would not host Living Legends that year.[4]

The operators had previously discussed the impact of proposed bridge construction near the property.

Following the closure, [[Legacy Adventure Park]] in Lockport, Illinois, announced that it had acquired several of CPX's original scenic structures and other playing-field components.

These included elements of Bedlam, vehicles from Armageddon and other themed equipment.

Legacy also announced plans to employ former CPX staff and accommodate events previously associated with the Joliet park.[5]

Although the physical facility closed, CPX Events continued organising scenario paintball events at other venues.