Big changes are in the works for the Merritt Bowling Centre, which has been in the Turner family for more than 40 years. Originally opened in 1974 by Scott Turner’s parents, Turner stepped into his father’s role as owner on September 1, 2019 and brought some new ideas along with him.
Over the course of the next few years, Turner, and new Bowling Centre manager Katelynn Boszak, plan to implement four phases of upgrades and renovations designed to update and improve the Bowling Centre’s look and bowlers’ experience.
“In Phase One we got new lanes, we just got those installed, they’re all brand new synthetic lanes and they’re all glow in the dark as well,” said Turner.
“So, when we shut the lights off and we turn on the black lights, the whole lane glows. Also, part of Phase One is that we’re getting the walls which are blank now, painted in a cosmic bowling theme and it’s all going to be glow in the dark paint as well.”
Phase One will also include the installation of bumper gutters for young bowlers.
“One of the other items that we’re adding in Phase One of our renovation is bumper gutters,” said Turner.
“When the ball goes in the gutter, they don’t hit any pins but with the bumper gutters there’s railings that pop up, and it deflects the ball from going in the gutter. It just bounces and keeps on the lane and always goes towards the pins. All lanes will have them available to children and we’ll just pop them up when there’s kids bowling, so they don’t get discouraged because they’re always hitting some pins.”
Phase One of the renovations should wrap up in September of this year, with Phase Two beginning next summer and Phase Three the summer after that. Phase Four is in the works but Turner maintains that project is top secret for the time being.
“In Phase Two we’re going to be getting new scoring in place, the scoring system is going to have projection screens above the lanes that are going to reflect an image on all of the lanes, so the whole lane will be like a television screen,” explained Turner.
“There’s going to be aliens running around, or you’re going to be bowling on ice, so when you throw the ball down the sensors on the projection screen pick up the ball and now you’ve got the ice cracking, or a fire ball going down the lane, it’s super cool.”
Phase Three will bring changes to the areas of the Bowling Centre off the lanes, known as the concourse area, where the counter and tables are located, as well as new food items to be served with the beverages already available.
“Phase three we’re going to completely level the whole concourse area and redo the whole thing,” said Turner.
“There’s a few different things we’re considering doing, we’re not exactly 100% certain, but we’re thinking about putting a brew pub in place here, or possibly a wood fired pizza oven.”
Turner wants the bowling centre to cater to all age groups, and be a place for anyone in Merritt to come and have a good time, which is one reason why he feels five pin bowling is a good fit for the establishment, despite some people requesting ten pin lanes over the years.
“The nice thing about 5 pin bowling is that you don’t have the big bowling balls like 10 pin bowling with the holes in them,” explained Turner.
“They’re smaller balls so kids as young as two and three years old can bowl, and one of our seniors last year was 95 years old.”
Currently, the Merritt Bowling Centre hosts two seniors’ leagues which will start again in September on Mondays and Thursdays, in addition to the regular bowling league which meets evenings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
For children, there is the option to have a birthday party at the Centre as well.
“With the COVID rules the maximum we can go up to is six per group, but previously we’ve had up to 30 at one birthday party,” said Turner.
This will also be the first summer since 1974 that the Centre will remain open. To celebrate the inaugural summer of bowling, manager Katelynn Boszak also launched ‘Kids Bowl Free’.
“Kids two to 15 years of age, you sign them up and they get two free games every single day all summer,” said Boszak.
“There is an option to get a family pass if parents want to get involved as well. It’s $50, that includes four adults and again, two games every single day with their kids. And that’s one payment for the entire summer.”
Turner, nostalgically pointing out a growth chart detailing his height since 1978 on the frame of the office door, said that he just wants people to have as much fun at the Centre as he has had.
“Everybody that comes through the door we want them to have fun,” said Turner.
The more fun they have, the better job we’re doing. That’s how we measure it.”
“I was five when my folks bought this place. I have so many memories. A lot of my heart is here.”
