The last games bowled on the last night of amf!

[MICHAEL]

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/082_zps40551c0a.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/082_zps40551c0a.jpg.html)

It was a sad, but fun night! Gene and Ice, rolling out some good scores on a AMF that Closed THAT NIGHT! I will be posting a few more pictures of this memorable establishment, that has closed it's doors!
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/085_zpsa07d3f92.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/085_zpsa07d3f92.jpg.html)

Sad the empty lanes, that seem to weep oil, knowing the end is near....

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/071_zps26aa8f1e.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/071_zps26aa8f1e.jpg.html)
Paul, the last manager to close this once great bowling establishment!! Goodbye Paul,,, May The Bowing Gods bring you another one!!



http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/099_zpsbe007af2.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/099_zpsbe007af2.jpg.html)

looking at the outside sad face, you would never know the thousands of happy memories that once presided!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgw_yprN_-w

[vdubtx]

Looks like was a nice place ICEMAN! Glad you ended it on a high note with that 247!!

The lanes look to be in good shape. Any chance you can get sections of the lanes? Would love to get a 10 ft section including arrows. :cool:

[MICHAEL]

Looks like was a nice place ICEMAN! Glad you ended it on a high note with that 247!!

The lanes look to be in good shape. Any chance you can get sections of the lanes? Would love to get a 10 ft section including arrows. :cool:

I am looking into that!! I found out that the original wood floors are under the newer synthetic! We shall see!!! (:) Gene got me drunk on Red Beers, and took all my money!! LOL (remember I DON"T DRINK) (:) Gene is a 220 average bowler great bowler, and friend!

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/096_zpsa6c099d5.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/096_zpsa6c099d5.jpg.html)

[vdubtx]

Nice!!! ICEMAN and Gene about to make it rain up in AMF Northland!!

[got_a_300]

A sad day indeed when a very nice looking center like that
closes the doors for good.

What was the reasoning for closing the center was it just
not making money for the corporation that bought out all
of the AMF centers decision to close it.

I just wonder why they didn't put it up for sale and try to
give someone a chance to buy it and keep it open I would
love to have owned that center myself.

[rv driver]

Looks like it used to be a great place. Sad, 'cause I used to be an AMF guy -- our lanes were AMF and I had an AMF ball. Oh well. We move on...

[MICHAEL]

They had actually put some money into the alley, put all new 55 inch lED TVs in. Had it 3/4 painted on the inside, looked great, and decided to pull the plug.

Reason given, Not making money, and league bowling numbers were low, and getting lower each year. Hey lots of 300 games, and seveal 800s this last year. We had 6 300 on our winter league alone. So it was not related to poor lane conditions? Great management, good help, great mechanic's, good food and drinks?

I guess bowling is hurting all over the country? Maybe its because there were so many built in bowling Hay Day! There are still people who love the sport, but they are now going to other establishments, and adding more customers to those alleys!

In the end the ones that survive, will have much more volume, and larger leagues, with many more teams!

It's sad, but maybe this just has to happen, due to the numbers!

It takes X amount of money to pay the bills, and if you don't have the business, you just have to close the doors. Many that have closed, really had no choice, other then to go even DEEP INTO DEBT!

The AMF manager said that their was a contract clause that stipulated in AMF even closed its doors on that property, NO ONE ELSE COULD buy, and operate another bowing alley at that location!

SUCKS.... Because I think someone could have made it work there. Place looks GREAT!!

It will be all dismantled, and equipment will be sent to other AMF's, or stored for spare parts.

[got_a_300]

The AMF manager said that their was a contract clause that stipulated in AMF even closed its doors on that property, NO ONE ELSE COULD buy, and operate another bowing alley at that location!

SUCKS.... Because I think someone could have made it work there. Place looks GREAT!!

It will be all dismantled, and equipment will be sent to other AMF's, or stored for spare parts.

Yes that really does SUCK that they won't let anyone buy it and keep it
open I would have loved to have had a chance to bought it and kept it
open.

[rv driver]

They had actually put some money into the alley, put all new 55 inch lED TVs in. Had it 3/4 painted on the inside, looked great, and decided to pull the plug.

Reason given, Not making money, and league bowling numbers were low, and getting lower each year. Hey lots of 300 games, and seveal 800s this last year. We had 6 300 on our winter league alone. So it was not related to poor lane conditions? Great management, good help, great mechanic's, good food and drinks?

I guess bowling is hurting all over the country? Maybe its because there were so many built in bowling Hay Day! There are still people who love the sport, but they are now going to other establishments, and adding more customers to those alleys!

In the end the ones that survive, will have much more volume, and larger leagues, with many more teams!

It's sad, but maybe this just has to happen, due to the numbers!

It takes X amount of money to pay the bills, and if you don't have the business, you just have to close the doors. Many that have closed, really had no choice, other then to go even DEEP INTO DEBT!

The AMF manager said that their was a contract clause that stipulated in AMF even closed its doors on that property, NO ONE ELSE COULD buy, and operate another bowing alley at that location!

SUCKS.... Because I think someone could have made it work there. Place looks GREAT!!

It will be all dismantled, and equipment will be sent to other AMF's, or stored for spare parts.
For me, part of the charm and allure of bowling was bowling in an intimate atmosphere. Our center had 16 lanes, and everyone knew everyone else. "Larger/more leagues" for me = less fun/more hassle. The place I frequent now is large, and it's one of (I believe) three large centers in town owned by the same guy. It's nice, but it's not as much fun.

[Birdz300]

It's sad indeed to see this very nice looking center close.i can't imagine
the hurt with everyone that was associated with that place. the numbers
are the name of the game it seems. the area where I bowl is corporate
owned (bowlmor) I feel the same the bigger the center is not necessarily
better.i bowled in a 20 lane indepent center where everyone knows
your name felt like family (cheers). Nice pictures and they will stay with
you.