3RD ANNUAL BOWLING CENTER ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN AWARDS Special Section Editor Bob Johnson Special Section Art Director Andy Nowak Competition Coordinator Samantha Schwartz Competition Founder & Advisor Mort Luby Jr. NOVEMBER 007 bowlers journal international 47
CRAZY PINZ FT. WAYNE, IN NEW CENTER Even before it opened for business in January, Crazy Pinz was generating plenty of buzz in Fort Wayne, Ind., and throughout the bowling industry. But then, projects that cost around $7 million have a way of attracting attention. The word on the street (and in the alleys) was that Crazy Pinz was taking the bowling-anchored family entertainment center model to a whole new level. Make that levels, as the facility includes a second-floor lounge overlooking the main concourse, dubbed Kahuna z, and a three-story water park of foam balls for kids. And there s a lot more, as you ll see in the pages that follow. In a word, our judges were impressed, recognizing Crazy Pinz with two platinum awards and one diamond award in the four new center categories. Architectural and design services were provided by Dynamic Designs, while U.S. Bowling Corp. handled the installation work. 48 bowlers journal international NOVEMBER 007
NEW EXTERIOR CRAZY PINZ FT. WAYNE, IN It almost wouldn t matter how many and what type of attractions Crazy Pinz offered if they were housed within a non-descript building that looked like any other big box business. No such problem here. From the colors selected for the exterior walls to the big, bright sign, Crazy Pinz not only is a fun place, it looks like a fun place. FRONTIER FUN CENTER FERNLEY, NV East of Reno off Interstate 80, the city of Fernley, Nev., now has its own bowling-based FEC, complete with an indoor Playland for little kids, an arcade for older kids, J.W. s Stadium Club for adults and the Main Street Deli for everyone. One look at the entryway, with its bold design shapes and giant bowling pins, and you know you re in for a good time. The facility was designed by Aloiau Architecture. 50 bowlers journal international NOVEMBER 007
NEW INTERIOR BRUNSWICK GLOW ROMA, ITALY No design detail was too small for Ciccotti Francesco in developing this new bowling showplace in Rome, Italy. A strategically located hole in the wall provides a glimpse of the fun that awaits inside, the lighting effectively highlights areas of interest throughout the facility, and the theming even extends to the ceiling. Commented one judge: It combines metallic features and cosmic themes in a good, fashionable way. Even the fabric selected for the dining area makes a statement. CRAZY PINZ FT. WAYNE, IN Most bowling center owners choose between fun and classy when it comes to the type of image they want their business to project. Somehow, Crazy Pinz manages to seamlessly meld the two, complementing its array of fun attractions with visually pleasing masking units, a dramatically-lit customer service counter, and a private, upscale lanes area called The Suites. 5 bowlers journal international NOVEMBER 007
NEW RESTAURANT/ LOUNGE THE COLISEUM CAMP HILL, PA Disney s imagineers have nothing on Dynamic Designs, which executed the vision for the Rock-n-Brew Restaurant at this new destination in Camp Hill, Pa. The neo-diner s slogan: The fine art of fun dining. The motorcycles displayed throughout (prompting one judge to describe it as a man bar ) and the almost cathedral-like Tiffany accents raise the question: Can bikers and bowlers find happiness at the Rock-n-Brew? We re guessing yes. RED ROCK LANES LAS VEGAS, NV Dropped jaws were in abundance during International Bowl Expo Week in Las Vegas last summer, when Brunswick transported proprietors across town to see the latest and perhaps greatest installation of its capital equipment line. One challenge of multiple-attraction businesses is to have the individual components stand out. Friedmutter Group used whimsically designed signage and back-lighting in making it impossible for patrons to miss Red Rock s Deli. 54 bowlers journal international NOVEMBER 007
NEW ANCILLARY PROFIT CENTER CRAZY PINZ FT. WAYNE, IN Could there have been any other winner of this category? After all, this facility is all about ancillary profits, from its glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course to its Gilligan z Playland, and from its dedicated birthday party space to its billiard area. The facility also presents live entertainment for the -and-over crowd in its Club Coconut z. At Crazy Pinz, customers have lots of ways to spend money. BOWLPLEX XSCAPE RENFREW, SCOTLAND The United Kingdom s Bowlplex chain continues to utilize the services of Westover Design Group when opening new facilities or renovating existing ones and with good reason. Westover creates an upscale atmosphere that is appealing to both families and free-spending young adults. Two key components of the new Bowlplex in Renfrew, Scotland, are the 0-table American Pool Pit and the multiple-game Video World arcade. NOVEMBER 007 bowlers journal international 55
BEFORE RENOVATED EXTERIOR WILDCATTERS BOUGER, TX Fitzgerald & Associates transformed a rather bland-looking Thriftway Store in Borger, Texas (northeast of Amarillo), into an eye-catching bowling and entertainment center with 0 lanes and numerous other amenities. The Texas oil industry is saluted in both the name and the design work. AFTER BEFORE AFTER S.I. BOWL CARTERVILLE, IL The original S.I. Bowl, built during the 960s, resembled a big tin shed. Now, through the work of Architectural Concepts, the revitalized 3-lane center in Carterville, Ill., presents a tasteful, upscale personality with its horizontal bands and vertical accents. The key visual element is the tower sign above the entryway, which rises above the overall height of the building. 56 bowlers journal international NOVEMBER 007
RENOVATED INTERIOR BOWLPLEX TOWER PARK POOLE, ENGLAND Like most Bowlplex facilities, the Tower Park operation in Poole, England, looked just fine. But it was in need of updating, so Westover Design Group was called upon to quarterback the transformation. Brighter lighting, the effective use of neon, more assertive accent colors and an enhanced waffle ceiling really brought the 4-lane center to life and into the new millennium of experience-based entertainment. S.I. BOWL CARTERVILLE, IL You get only one chance to make a good first impression, and the judging panel was particularly impressed by the improvement to S.I. Bowl s entry hall. Formerly dark, narrow and somewhat foreboding, it s now bright, wide and welcoming. By rearranging the seating configuration, the concourse also was opened up, and a sense of fun was added via unique forms, color selection and specialty lighting. 58 bowlers journal international NOVEMBER 007
RENOVATED RESTAURANT/ LOUNGE BOWLPLEX TOWER PARK POOLE, ENGLAND BEFORE The old bar at Bowlplex s Poole operation reminded judges of a home rec room. Nothing wrong with that, but the renovated lounge is much more designsavvy and streamlined, from its gorgeous hardwood floor to its upscale chairs to its illuminated glass shelves for the liquor bottles. The Poole lounge used to be a place to go for an after-bowling drink; now, it s a place to linger and socialize. BEFORE AFTER AFTER S.I. BOWL CARTERVILLE, IL The old S.I. Cafe was cramped, dimly lit and unattractive. The old lounge was bigger, but equally uninviting. Now, the much more roomy Cafe opens up to the concourse, while the,000-square-foot Sports Bar occupies its own space, separate from other center attractions, yet still easily accessible to customers. The bar, now much more visually friendly, has a mix of high-top and regular seating, along with plasma TVs, billiard tables and video games. 60 bowlers journal international NOVEMBER 007
RENOVATED ANCILLARY PROFIT CENTER JEWEL CITY BOWL GLENDALE, CA BEFORE The community of Glendale, Calif., is known as The Jewel City. But it had been a long time since Jewel City Bowl which, in 953, became the first Southern California center to install AMF Pinspotters had been considered a jewel. A $ million renovation project (with U.S. Bowling Corp. handling much of the installation) has changed that, both outside and inside. One highlight of the new interior, designed by Dynamic Designs, is the Game Zone arcade. With its arched entryway, bright colors and effective lighting, only customers wearing blinders could miss it. AFTER NOVEMBER 007 bowlers journal international 6
RENOVATED ANCILLARY PROFIT CENTER BOWLPLEX TOWER PARK POOLE, ENGLAND The Poole renovation project spanned weeks, and the core of the center is now the American Pool Pit, with its six full-sized tables in a dedicated space in the middle of the building. Comfortable booth-style seating and adjacent cocktail tables create an open-air lounge atmosphere that keeps patrons entertained and reaching for their wallets. 6 bowlers journal international NOVEMBER 007