Northrock Lanes (Doubles and singles)
The center is about 17 years old, 48 lanes, a very nice facility, Brunswick pinsetters, settee area, Brunswick synthetic lanes (system 2000 I believe). The approaches can be treacherous, you can slip on one shot and slide the next, also they have some seams (joints) that you can slide into if you get really deep with your feet (often a problem with ten pin shots). The lane beds are getting pretty chewed up. They did some resurface work on them during the winter. They were talking about replacing them for the tournament but at the last minute decided not too. In league play on the typical house shot scoring paces are pretty high.
The center is actually about a block east of rock road but the entrance is on Rock right next to a Wal-mart supercenter. The area has many restaurants and shops. You should try a pizza at the sports bar (AJ’s sports bar) inside Northrock, they have some of the best pizza around the price is reasonable.
Rock road is a major north/south road. This is a very busy area. One of the best way’s go get there is to take I-35 to the north side of town and take the K-96 bypass east. This is a four lane limited access road that will take you to Rock road. Exit on rock and go south. The center is 2 to 3 blocks on the left.
Thunderbird Lanes (Team event)
The center is about 45 years old but has been completely remodeled gradually over the last 8 or 9 years, 40 lanes, AMF pinsetters, AMF HPL Synthetics about 6 years old, wood approaches (the perfect combination), Qubica scoring (with ball speed read out). Scoring on their typical house shot is very high, probably the highest in town.
To get to the center you can take I-35 south to Pawnee and then Pawnee to the east about 3 miles, then right (south) on Oliver the center is on the East side of the street. Or you can take US 54 east to Oliver then south (about 4 miles) to the center. They have quite a few signs up showing where to turn.
