On Bowling Alleys and Changing Times

Note: The links in this post are unpaid, opinions are likewise. Just sharing in case anyone wants to try the things I/the family find enjoyable. *


My family & I moved to the south side of Indianapolis, and then into Johnson county a few years ago. Even before that, we had often come to Southern Bowl, a Royal Pin branded facility, to bowl. Once we moved to Johnson county, my girls began participating in special Olympics, and Southern was the host facility for their bowling practices. We continued to visit for family bowling, including participating in Kids Bowl Free every summer.

At the end of April, we were notified that Southern would be closing. There had previously been a plan to update the facility, and add attractions to bring it in line with other area facilities that have laser tag, mini golf and the like. Apparently, sometime over the winter Royal Pin did a cost/benefit analysis and decided to scrap that plan and close the facility. As a small business owner, I understand the need to cut dead weight, trim costs and all of that. As a mom of three kids with a tight time schedule, and a fan of the Southern facility and it's employees, losing the closest facility to my house, one we had spent so much time in, stung.

As summer got closer, we got an e-mail from Kids Bowl Free saying they'd transferred our bowling passes {we pay for the family pass, since 2 of our kids are too old for the KBF program and we like to bowl as well} had been transferred to the next closest facility, Expo Bowl, another Royal Pin facility. We hadn't been to Expo in many years, because we have 2 asthmatics in our family and it was once a smoking facility on one side, non smoking on the other {The facility has 80 lanes, split into 2 40 lane sections separated by a long hallway where the snack bar is located} and the non-smoking side was usually full by the time we called to reserve lanes, or had wait times that were past the bed times of the then-little kids. I knew it had undergone a few upgrades since then, but when we walked in today, I was stunned. It was easily the cleanest and brightest bowling alley I have ever been in, and I've been in a few dozen over the years. My parents, aunts, uncles, sister and cousins were league bowlers when I was little, and I was a teen league bowler myself. The staff was friendly and helpful from the desk to the snack bar {we took 3 teens, of course there was soda and food involved} to the pro shop. It was a change, and change is difficult, but it worked out well and we are already planning our next visit. And planning a visit to the entertainment facility on site as well, which will probably get it's own post.

All of this to say, change is difficult, losing a beloved family attraction is rough. But it's going to happen from time to time, and the best thing we can do is roll with it. Sometimes, it turns out really well. We will miss Southern Bowl and treasure the memories made there, but we are enjoying Expo and look forward to making many more memories there as well.