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Author Topic: Bowling alley owner doesn't want city tournament or league bowlers  (Read 2916 times)

ksucat

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Bowling alley owner doesn't want city tournament or league bowlers
« on: February 23, 2004, 10:14:28 PM »
My mom lives in a smaller town with only one bowling alley.  The owners have let the place run down and basically don't care to even keep the place clean.  This attitude really showed itself when the Women's City Tournament was trying to compete and the desk personnel scheduled a kid's birthday party right next to them.  They didn't even explain to the parents that there was a tournament going on.  When the city Secretary went to the front counter to ask them to move the birthday party, the counterperson just sent her back to the owner/manager.  The owner then proceeded to tell the city secretary that the birthday parties were more important than the city tournament.  She then followed that comment up by emphasizing that their city tournament was not even wanted, neither are the league bowlers.  This owner believes that open play and birthday parties are where the money is at.  Of course this was only part of the problems.  Various machine breakdowns all the time, total filth, uncourteous staff, etc.

The men's and women's city associations are now fed up.  They are meeting with leagues that don't want to bowl anymore.  Since this season is underway and nearing an end, nothing will likely get changed this year.  However, the associations are ready to tell bowlers to go elsewhere or just quit.  They are proposing a delay to next season until November or until improvements are made.  I feel sorry for them because the bowlers just want to have fun.  

As a bowling fan, I hate to see our sport lose more participants, but the only alternative is for them to travel 30-60 miles one way.  My father is a former city President that finally gave up and makes that drive every week and has done so for almost 10 years now.  He couldn't take it any longer.

Thanks for letting me air this out.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  This town keeps waiting for a new bowling alley, but no one has stepped forward.


P.S.  I just heard that the other center these owners have, which is in Wichita, has filed for bankruptcy.  It seems like if there was competition on the other center, that it would go bankrupt as well.
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9andaWiggle

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Re: Bowling alley owner doesn't want city tournament or league bowlers
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2004, 01:30:49 PM »
quote:
It seems like if there was competition on the other center, that it would go bankrupt as well.


If the conditions are as you say, I'd say it most certainly would.  Even open bowlers will not tolerate rude staff and filthy conditions.  Actually, I would think they would be the first to leave since league bowlers are somewhat more committed to the game itself.  Anyhow, the problem may lie simply in the numbers.  If it's a small town, once you sit down and put together a business plan, there may not be enough bowlers in the area to support the costs associated with opening and operating a new center - even if everyone in town bowls 3 nights a week.  Likewise, the owners of the current place may not be willing to sell (or may be asking a rediculous amt for it).  Whatever, sorry to hear of this - hopefully something good will eventually come of it.


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bcoach21

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Re: Bowling alley owner doesn't want city tournament or league bowlers
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2004, 01:39:31 PM »
Ok,  Well, since we own 2 bowling alley's I can tell you for sure that your main source of money comes from league's and then open bowling on friday and saturday nights.  Those are the times when the centers get most of their money and I have known this for a long time.  Best thing to do is just find another center to host the tournament or not bowl in it.  You should've have to put up with such things and you don't have too.  Get rid of leagues and see how long that center will keep its doors open.
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Pinbuster

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Re: Bowling alley owner doesn't want city tournament or league bowlers
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2004, 01:51:46 PM »
Ksucat – The thing is I wouldn’t call that a small town, at least by the standards around here!

I heard this weekend that the house in my hometown (about 1/10 the size of yours) house is probably going to close unless someone comes in and buy’s it. I’m not really surprised but large geographical areas of the state will not have bowling alleys near them.

The problem is a double edge sword. You drop out in protest of bad conditions and they go out of business and your still out of a place to bowl. You let them get away with it and conditions will still suffer. The only hope is to work with them and hope it gets better.

The house they own in Wichita has been bankrupt for last 4 or 5 years. The bank took it back and I heard that some the loans had the owner’s personal equity involved so they have lost their shirts and don’t have any money left for your hometown center. The bank has simply let them run it the last few years. The area were it was built has become such a hot bed of new businesses I’m surprised they haven’t been able to sell it for more than it’s worth as a bowling alley.  
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channel surfer

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Re: Bowling alley owner doesn't want city tournament or league bowlers
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2004, 01:55:13 PM »
After reading this, I'm glad I have 15-20 centers in less then 30 minutes from my house. I am now very very thankful for that.
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Ishmael

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Re: Bowling alley owner doesn't want city tournament or league bowlers
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2004, 03:58:02 PM »
I'm dealing with a similar situation.  Small town, only one center.  Wood lanes that haven't been resurfaced in almost 3 years, dead pins, and faulty pin setters and ball returns.  Many league bowlers have moved to a center in a neighboring town that's about 40 minutes away.  I fear that I may have to do the same thing next year.
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MSC2471

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Re: Bowling alley owner doesn't want city tournament or league bowlers
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2004, 12:23:08 AM »
It can be tough when centers are the main game in town, especially for small towns. I face the same situation in Winchendon,MA. The owner who bought the place two years ago came from a candlepin background, and once he saw that he didn't make a lot of money the first year went back to his old job and does the bowling center for recreation. He believes he can make more money on open play, birthday parties and rock n bowl rather than trying to build up the leagues. Our biggest league is the 5 man industrial league on Tuesday nights (the one I bowl in)- and it's 30 people total. He does keep the place clean, but he has not a clue on how to promote the sport, get people into leagues, or how important proper lane conditions would be to league bowlers...

Matt
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punkrawk77

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Re: Bowling alley owner doesn't want city tournament or league bowlers
« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2004, 12:32:27 AM »
Living in the greater St. Louis area I have more than my fair share of bowling alleys to pick from.

Atleast a dozen with 30 minutes of my house.

It good to have choices.
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Juggernaut

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Re: Bowling alley owner doesn't want city tournament or league bowlers
« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2004, 08:49:17 AM »
Here where I live (population 14,900) we too have only one center.  The owner for a long time promoted the leagues and tried hard to build his business but then something happened and I couldn't say what.

 It seemed like overnight his attitude changed. He pulled hie 2 teams out of the T.C.B.A.(travel league) and told them he didn't want them back. Then he spent lots of money installing black lights and laser lights for his "glow bowl". Now he tells us that he makes more on friday and saturday night open bowlers than he does on his leagues(which fill his 16 lane center, 4 nights a week) and has birthday parties so often that it is hard to get an open lane to practice on.

 He has also gone up on his prices to $3.50 a game for open play, lucky for me he does give the league bowlers a break on it most of the time though.

 The center is very clean, well kept, and the machinery is very dependable with hardly ever a breakdown. It's just that I don't see why the sudden change in attitude. Does he really think he makes so much on parties and open bowling that he can just do without the leagues?

 He also tells the leagues that they have to be at least 36 weeks during the fall leagues or they can't bowl there. Is that crazy or what?
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