‘Baby steps’ breathe life into bowling

Albany Ten Pin Bowling is getting a facelift and the community could not be happier.

Tom Kennedy is now the man in charge, after running the business previously in 2013.

The business owner took on the bowling alley back in April after it closed in December.

It was re-opened to the public two weeks ago.

While also running the karts and the outdoor cinema, Mr Kennedy said if he or someone else didn’t take on the business then it could mean the end of bowling in Albany.

“I believe I can get it up and running again and make bowling a thing in Albany again,” he said.

“Our plan is to upgrade the whole thing, but in baby steps and by using what we have.

“Hopefully over time we will be able to upgrade the lanes, all the wood, and we can get the 80s theme standing out again, as it was built in the 80s and the theme is all around that.”

Mr Kennedy said he hoped eventually to put in automatic gutter guards, refurnish the building and look at changing the entrance.

The kitchen has also been gutted and refurbished.

The business is family-owned and run and Mr Kennedy said he was looking forward to getting it going again for the community to enjoy bowling.

“I was keen to get in and take over the blowing again so I said to my wife ‘let’s hit the ground running and use what we have to restore it slowly and just focus on getting it open and then work up from there’,” he said.

“I want to get this place in great order to the best of our ability and let people see that we are up and running and have a friendly face from behind the counter.”

Mr Kennedy said getting the business up and running was his passion.

He said at some stage he would like to look at offering karaoke on a Friday night.

“My main goal is to make it a great place for Albany, for people and groups to come and have a good laugh and lots of fun, re-live your youth,” he said.