onefrombills
12-19-2008, 11:32 PM
Walking into a bowling center for the very first time is one of my favorite experiences – a treat for all five senses. As a little kid, it was the sound that first appealed to me; the combined ding of pinsetters operating, the staccato beat of bowling balls hitting pins and the constant chatter of bowlers and spectators. I loved that environment and still do.
As I grew up to appreciate the sport of bowling, the sight of the bowling center began to appeal to me. First, it’s the layout of the lanes; straight across or split house. I’m a softie for split houses, I grew up in one. Each bowling center has its own specific feel and ambience based on masking units, lane surface, gutter color, ceiling height, lighting and concourse design.
Perhaps the most recognizable feature of a bowling center that separates itself from other centers is the use of the end walls. These displays can give you a sense of place, time, history; it gives an individual bowling center the ability to bookend its personality.
AMF Country Club Lanes in Baltimore, Maryland features one of the most unique end wall displays. The displays feature floor-to-ceiling carpeting, artistically custom-cut to display the signature elements of Baltimore.
It’s all represented here. Baltimore history: Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write “The Star-Spangled Banner” which became our National Anthem in 1916. Baltimore industry: seaports, lighthouses, bridges. Baltimore recreation: horse racing, fishing, boating. Baltimore’s culinary delicacies; crabs, fresh seafood and more crabs.
I am looking forward to the West Coast swing- many new bowling centers to visit. Not to mention the National Bowling Stadium in Reno and the specially-constructed bowling arena awaiting in Las Vegas during the USBC Masters event.
As I grew up to appreciate the sport of bowling, the sight of the bowling center began to appeal to me. First, it’s the layout of the lanes; straight across or split house. I’m a softie for split houses, I grew up in one. Each bowling center has its own specific feel and ambience based on masking units, lane surface, gutter color, ceiling height, lighting and concourse design.
Perhaps the most recognizable feature of a bowling center that separates itself from other centers is the use of the end walls. These displays can give you a sense of place, time, history; it gives an individual bowling center the ability to bookend its personality.
AMF Country Club Lanes in Baltimore, Maryland features one of the most unique end wall displays. The displays feature floor-to-ceiling carpeting, artistically custom-cut to display the signature elements of Baltimore.
It’s all represented here. Baltimore history: Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write “The Star-Spangled Banner” which became our National Anthem in 1916. Baltimore industry: seaports, lighthouses, bridges. Baltimore recreation: horse racing, fishing, boating. Baltimore’s culinary delicacies; crabs, fresh seafood and more crabs.
I am looking forward to the West Coast swing- many new bowling centers to visit. Not to mention the National Bowling Stadium in Reno and the specially-constructed bowling arena awaiting in Las Vegas during the USBC Masters event.