BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Metal_rules on September 30, 2016, 07:14:14 AM

Title: Bowling alleys
Post by: Metal_rules on September 30, 2016, 07:14:14 AM
I am curious to see how many NEW bowling alleys have been built. Better yet what year was the last alley built in your area.My guess that the last alley built here was probably in the 70's, but I am not exactly sure? This is the sad part about bowling. Here in Metro Detroit most of the alleys left are old, with limited room for your bags. The centers I bowl at are in very good condition and maintained well. Still lack of room in the concourse area. But of course some are showing there age. It is sad that the sport I love is the sport on decline. I know that  building a new bowling alley/center is not a money making business anymore like it was in the past.
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: djgook on September 30, 2016, 08:03:40 AM
I believe if you build a new center for BOWLERS it would be a cash cow
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: itsallaboutme on September 30, 2016, 08:55:22 AM
bowling……..cash cow……….uh, no
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: Impending Doom on September 30, 2016, 09:10:44 AM
bowling……..cash cow……….uh, no

^This.
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: milorafferty on September 30, 2016, 09:27:43 AM
I believe if you build a new center for BOWLERS it would be a cash cow
Perhaps have cows and hogs confused?  ;D


We have two new bowling alleys within the last 10 years in this area.
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: djgook on September 30, 2016, 09:47:51 AM
I set myself up with that one lol
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: ThomasBowling on September 30, 2016, 09:51:22 AM
There's talk about 3 new alleys here in Bergen, Norway.
But one is one of those lame ones where you raise the pins with rope :P So won't be able to throw my balls there, and not eligible for league.
And the other 2 is just rumors atm, but those 2 will probably be proper bowling.
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: Metal_rules on September 30, 2016, 10:15:47 AM
There's talk about 3 new alleys here in Bergen, Norway.
But one is one of those lame ones where you raise the pins with rope :P So won't be able to throw my balls there, and not eligible for league.
And the other 2 is just rumors atm, but those 2 will probably be proper bowling.
Whoever invented the pinsetters with ropes should have there head examined. I saw that once,and thought that is NOT real bowling. I would rather bowl in a 1960's bowling alley with real pinsetters. I hope you get the new alleys built soon!
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: Impending Doom on September 30, 2016, 11:32:19 AM
You know, we all have lottery dreams. "If I won $100 million, what would I do after the government took their 40%?"

I'd build a bowling center. Not to make mass amounts of money, but to give something back. Center would have 2 sides. 1 for open play, parties, and nonsanctioned leagues. It would have open lanes at all times, and a flat rate of $2 a game. Women's and senior leagues, with child care available.

Other side of the center would be for tournaments and sanctioned leagues. League shots would be fair and make you somewhat work, but that would be the cost of being on the sanctioned league side. Bigger concourse, more ball storage, automatic doors, etc. All center services would be in the middle, accessible to both sides. Pro shop would be center owned and I would have a certified coach on staff to coach up the inexperienced bowlers.
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: xrayjay on September 30, 2016, 11:45:24 AM
I heard rumors that the proposed new casino near my area may possibly include a bowling alley. The bowling alley that is about 5 miles from my house turned into a church a decade or so ago. The closer ones are both on the far west side of town. The downtown bowling alley doesn't have league anymore from what I heard. Just for open play.

And Steve Cook is a 40 min drive, so I hope we get one at this new caisno - even if it's less than 24 lanes, it'll be nice.
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: bradl on September 30, 2016, 01:41:11 PM
There's talk about 3 new alleys here in Bergen, Norway.
But one is one of those lame ones where you raise the pins with rope :P So won't be able to throw my balls there, and not eligible for league.
And the other 2 is just rumors atm, but those 2 will probably be proper bowling.
Whoever invented the pinsetters with ropes should have there head examined. I saw that once,and thought that is NOT real bowling. I would rather bowl in a 1960's bowling alley with real pinsetters. I hope you get the new alleys built soon!

I agree. One of the local alleys here expanded (at least before I moved here) and added 24 lanes with those ropes on the pins. However, you can definitely tell that they are for parties as they are located by the kid's arcade (G-rated games with tickets for prizes). Regardless, the entire alley looks like it was built in the 60s/70s (in fact, it was) as the outside looks so space-aged that it could easily replace one of the older terminals at the airport in Las Vegas.

for the rest of the lanes, the pinsetters are the ones that drop the pins into the chamber while you're bowling, so you can see the pins hanging down between your 1st and 2nd shot, and are prone to dropping pins. Ugh.

I'd rather take the Brunswick GSX, A-2, or AMF pinsetters anyday.

BL.
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: 2handedvolcano on September 30, 2016, 03:51:58 PM
I get so annoyed I can not help bowlers during cosmic bowling at the alley  as they bowl 90 because it is so dark and i have poor vision.
Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: Pinbuster on September 30, 2016, 04:41:32 PM
Our last new house was built 12 years ago and 3 others have closed since it opened with a net loss of 70 lane beds.

In that time the number of sanctioned bowlers has probably dropped 50% from about 10K to 5K.

The newer house has 24 lanes for league and 8 lanes designated for parties and cosmic. They can do cosmic on the 24 lanes.

It is also tied to an arcade, indoor go cart track, and a lazer maze game room.

Title: Re: Bowling alleys
Post by: bradl on September 30, 2016, 06:11:02 PM
I heard rumors that the proposed new casino near my area may possibly include a bowling alley. The bowling alley that is about 5 miles from my house turned into a church a decade or so ago.

You know, I've noticed that trend lately. A lot of previous alleys that I've bowled at have turned into churches or are also churches.

In Omaha:

Just a really weird trend and am not sure why.

Quote
The closer ones are both on the far west side of town. The downtown bowling alley doesn't have league anymore from what I heard. Just for open play.

And Steve Cook is a 40 min drive, so I hope we get one at this new caisno - even if it's less than 24 lanes, it'll be nice.

That will definitely be a welcome change, as being in the same area, I find most of the alleys in town to look really archaic. They'd rather spend the money on carpeting, TVs, and alcohol than actually replacing aging machinery and lanes that are literally falling apart.

BL.