What would you like to see the bowling center become?

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt editor
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The future of the MacDill Lanes might be in your hands.

It could become a putt-putt golf course, a laser tag facility, bumper car racing center or indoor batting cages, depending on the outcome of a survey the bowling center is conducting now through Nov. 30. The survey is available at the bowling center or online at https://www.research.net/s/bowlingsurvey2012.

"Just about anything" could happen in the future, said Steve Sealock, bowling center director.

While a complete overhaul of the center would have to be approved, the revamping of the meeting and party room in the building will happen for certain, Sealock said, as funding has been approved. It is just a matter of reviewing the survey results, which ask if patrons would like to see it become a video gaming parlor, a pingpong or pool room, an arcade or even a fitness room - conversions that could be accomplished fairly quickly.

If the survey shows a preference for something other than bowling, those results will be passed to base leadership for consideration, said Sealock. If given a green light, the bowling center could become a laser tag battle zone or a mini golf course as early as the summer, he said.

About midway into the survey, it looks like most respondents like the idea of keeping the lanes, said Sealock, but with a couple of weeks remaining before the survey ends, anything could happen.

"It is participation (in the survey) that is going to drive this," said Sealock, who encourages everyone to participate in the survey.

The preliminary results for the fate of the meeting room indicate a preference for gaming or an arcade, said Sealock, but "we'll have to wait" to determine which option comes out on top. There also is some interest in a possible sports lounge, he said.

"Nothing is impossible right now," he said of the overall "repurposing" of the bowling center.
Sealock said work finishing the new roof of the bowling center is nearing completion, and repaving of the parking lot is complete. No matter what direction the facility goes, the aim is to provide a first-class entertainment or recreational experience, Sealock said.