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Author Topic: Likes and Dislikes of a center  (Read 7772 times)

Iso

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Likes and Dislikes of a center
« on: April 25, 2016, 02:04:00 PM »
Hello everyone. I am working on bringing a family entertainment center (FEC) with a 24 lane bowling alley.

What do you folks like or dislike about the bowling alleys & FECs that you have been too?

 

Good Times Good Times

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2016, 02:08:45 PM »
Gotta be clean and preferably some concourse room.
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bigbaby987

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2016, 02:14:18 PM »
Is it a competitive center for bowlers?

How are the lanes?

Do you plan to support bowlers on all levels with fun and competitive leagues?

Will you have a pro shop with a knowledgable staff and products more than just a bunch of cute plastic balls?

Will you host tournaments?

Are you committed to the bowling world, or is this just a revenue stream in your business?

How many lanes do you have?

Do you have the proper equipment to maintain your lanes?

Are the lanes competitive by their construction?

Do you have coaches available for bowlers looking to improve?

Are you entrenched in the bowling community more than just supplying lanes?

How will you recognize bowlers and their accomplishments?
____________________________________

These are a lot of things I personally look for in an alley.  The more these things are supported the better.


Iso

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2016, 02:20:30 PM »
Owner team is predominately former military (Army & Navy). Cleanliness has been encoded into our DNA. :)

Brunswick seems to have a pretty good setup. Excellent information. Ambiguous on the technology aspect of it. 

 

spmcgivern

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2016, 02:41:48 PM »
You will get a bunch of varying information in this particular forum.  Pretty much everyone here prefers locations catering to the competitive side as opposed to the entertainment side.  Nothing wrong with gathering data, just realize you should listen to your specific demographic and not exclusively those here. 

Proximity to restaurant/bars will dictate what how you provide those services.  The same will apply to the bowling side.  How many lanes are in your area (competition)?  How many league bowlers in the area?  Are you trying to acquire some of the existing league base or generate new?  Or are you going for the FEC crowd only?

The competitive side will want large concourses, pro shop, ability to practice, the center competing for tournament hosting and adequate staffing to prevent the inevitable lack of assistance when needed.  Entertainment will want good pizza, good bar, good music and fun atmosphere.  Everyone wants cleanliness, especially bathrooms along with a courteous and knowledgeable staff for their type of bowling.

As long as you are willing to make necessary changes as they arise and not get stuck in a set way to do things, you should be okay.  Personally, I don't know how you can make money in today's market.  Cost of building a center would require more years to break even than what most banks are willing to deal with.  But if you have the proper backing.... good luck.  Love to see new centers challenging the ones who are stuck in their ways.

tuckinfenpin

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2016, 02:44:53 PM »
What is your target clientele?

League bowlers, tournament bowlers and casual bowlers have totally different wants and needs.

Clean facility, fair pricing, decent food and friendly staff will always be some highlights for everybody. 

Iso

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2016, 03:20:56 PM »
Wow lots of questions and great responses. Please feel free to poke flaws and ask questions. I am very much interested to hear your opinions. I sincerely appreciate your time.

What is your target clientele
Basic idea is a Family Entertainment Center. This encompasses bowling, arcade, food/bar service, and other interactive entertainment. 
Bowling is a large part of this business. It is also the most frequently requested activity in the local area. While an FEC has multiple facets bowling is a fundamental pillar to our success.

Is it a competitive center for bowlers?
Yes. We anticipate having leagues. Part of the reason I am querying here to gain insight from competitive bowlers. We want competitive bowlers to come practice, to compete, and to have fun. I enjoy an occasional pickup game but nothing on the level that you folks bowl.

How are the lanes?
24 lanes, all new construction. Most likely built with Brunswick Pro-Anvilane surfaces.

Do you plan to support bowlers on all levels with fun and competitive leagues?
Most definitely. We will have open bowl, pick-up/adhoc organized games, organized amateur leagues & events. From toddlers to seniors everyone is welcome to play.

Will you have a pro shop with a knowledgeable staff and products more than just a bunch of cute plastic balls?
Yes, there will still be cute plastic balls maybe even with rainbows and unicorns just for fun.
Yes, we will have an actual pro shop geared to helping bowlers improve their game as well as making the latest in bowling equipment available.

Will you host tournaments?
Yes, of course.

Are you committed to the bowling world, or is this just a revenue stream in your business?
First, we are a business people. Revenue drives business. It is the life blood of the business. No one goes into business to lose money.
While revenue is important, our guests are the primary reason we exist. Our business is based on making the best experience for families and bowlers that we can.
Whether that is a family of 10 visiting us for a family night of fun and games or a formal USBC/PBA sanctioned tournament - we will strive to render the best possible experience.
Bowling is fun and I do enjoy a game despite having a nearly perfect average at placing the balls into the gutters. Only nearly perfect because occasionally I do get lucky and nick a pin or two. The area we are targeting has no bowling centers locally.
The commitment to the bowling world comes from this aspect. If people enjoy the experience they will want to experience it more. They will want to become better and eventually compete. This is what grows the sport. It was a lesson I learned from the competitive BBQ circuit.

How many lanes do you have?
24 lanes initially.

Do you have the proper equipment to maintain your lanes?
Yes we will. Plus we will have the proper training from the manufacturer and operators will all be qualified prior to operating the equipment. We will be incorporating programs we used during our military service (Navy PQS) to qualify employees so we know that maintenance (Navy PMS) is performed correctly on time.

Are the lanes competitive by their construction?
Our current design is Brunswick bowling lanes with Brunswick Pro-Anvilane surfaces and Brunswick equipment for the oiling.

Do you have coaches available for bowlers looking to improve?
Our intention to to have coaches available. There is additional potential for the local schools to host bowling teams as well. In this area "select" teams are also very popular across all the sports.

Are you entrenched in the bowling community more than just supplying lanes?
Not yet.

How will you recognize bowlers and their accomplishments?
Off hand = Wall of fame, social media.
How would you like to be recognized for your accomplishments?


Q) What is your opinion on Brunswick lanes and equipment?

txbowler

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2016, 04:01:35 PM »
My experience with Brunswick lanes and equipment is great when that equipment is maintained.   In my opinion and I believe many, that is a very big key to a successful bowling center.  Maintain your equipment and provide a clean fun place for your open play bowlers, and a clean, and well maintained center for your league bowlers.

Price things fairly and people should return.

As a very competitive league bowler, I look for clean and well maintained lanes and approaches.  No one wants a leg injury from sticky approaches.  Keep the shot fair on both sides and no matter what you do, someone will have a complaint.  Lanes are too slick, lanes are too dry.  Not cold enough, too cold etc.

Good luck.  I hope you are successful. 


AlBundy33

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2016, 04:16:01 PM »
Do you believe in air conditioning? You wouldn't believe how many centers don't take in account that the more people that are in the building, the warmer it is going to be.
Instead of "A Future For The Sport", it really should be "A Sport Without A Future"

milorafferty

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2016, 04:27:23 PM »
Do you believe in air conditioning? You wouldn't believe how many centers don't take in account that the more people that are in the building, the warmer it is going to be.

Best point on this list. And not just for the temperature, but the humidity. When the season changes from winter to spring, the centers just refuse to turn on the AC.

I understand that electricity is probably a centers biggest non-fixed cost but it makes bowling miserable when everything in the center is sticky from the humidity.
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JohnP

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2016, 11:43:43 AM »
One suggestion - if possible, install wood approaches instead of synthetic.  Synthetic approaches vary in slickness/stickiness substantially with the weather, wood give a more consistent slide.  --  JohnP

Iso

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2016, 02:55:52 PM »
if possible, install wood approaches instead of synthetic.  Synthetic approaches vary in slickness/stickiness substantially with the weather, wood give a more consistent slide.  --  JohnP

Thank you John. I will add this to our open issues list to take up with Brunswick.

Yes HVAC is very much required in our area. Even more so with the shifts in climate we have been experiencing.


St. Croix

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #12 on: April 26, 2016, 03:01:12 PM »
Lots of great pointers. How a center runs its restroom facilities says a lot about management. I bowl in a couple of houses that recently refurbished their restrooms which are clean and well lit---a reflection of management mindset.
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Good Times Good Times

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2016, 03:28:25 PM »
Lots of great pointers. How a center runs its restroom facilities says a lot about management. I bowl in a couple of houses that recently refurbished their restrooms which are clean and well lit---a reflection of management mindset.

+1
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Ken De Beasto

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Re: Likes and Dislikes of a center
« Reply #14 on: April 26, 2016, 03:48:59 PM »
Lots of great pointers. How a center runs its restroom facilities says a lot about management. I bowl in a couple of houses that recently refurbished their restrooms which are clean and well lit---a reflection of management mindset.

+1

Haha +1000 I thought that was just me but for me its any business.