For years, local parents have had to travel outside the area to find an indoor recreation facility that the whole family could enjoy. However, the days of traveling north to Lake George or south to Clifton Park to visit a family fun center could soon be over as owners of the Saratoga Strike Zone currently have plans to turn the facility into something the whole family can enjoy.
Since purchasing the city's only bowling alley in May 2008, formerly
Hi-Roc Lanes on Ballston Avenue, Saratoga Strike Zone owner Rich
Sheldon said he has had plans to turn the bowling alley into multi-use,
family-friendly facility.
"This will certainly be something that is unique to this area," he said. "Bowling is a family pastime, and we want to build on that to offer something for everyone."
Sheldon's vision includes not only a complete renovation of the existing structure but a 2,900 square-foot addition for private parties and corporate events, removing the middle six lanes inside the alley and replacing the space with bumper cars and adding an arcade in which patrons will earn tickets to turn in for prizes. In addition, the six lanes at one end of the alley will be enclosed to accommodate an upscale bowling alley.
"We felt that the bowling center needed a fresh look, so we took that a step further to make it more kid and family friendly," Sheldon said.
For the older crowd, a sports pub with a separate entrance from the bowling alley is also included in the plans.
On Wednesday, the expansion proposal received unanimous support from the city's Planning Board to allow owners to move forward with the project.
While the board was collectively in favor of the project, they did have concerns over safety and access to the building from Route 50. In order to ease their concerns and move the project forward, owners agreed to contribute $10,000 to the city for transportation improvements around the vicinity instead of installing a sidewalk along a narrow section of Route 50.
"The owners are looking to make the facility more family and kid friendly and more accessible for school outings," Dave Carr, of The LA Group, said. "They also want to make it more inviting to residents and make it a safer environment through repairs and that is why they are pursuing the project."
Construction should begin in July and the bowling alley will remain open for business while renovations take place.
"We've had a spectacular year and have a great community to work with," Sheldon said. "I want Saratoga Springs to have a family fun center that we all can be
proud of."
"This will certainly be something that is unique to this area," he said. "Bowling is a family pastime, and we want to build on that to offer something for everyone."
Sheldon's vision includes not only a complete renovation of the existing structure but a 2,900 square-foot addition for private parties and corporate events, removing the middle six lanes inside the alley and replacing the space with bumper cars and adding an arcade in which patrons will earn tickets to turn in for prizes. In addition, the six lanes at one end of the alley will be enclosed to accommodate an upscale bowling alley.
"We felt that the bowling center needed a fresh look, so we took that a step further to make it more kid and family friendly," Sheldon said.
For the older crowd, a sports pub with a separate entrance from the bowling alley is also included in the plans.
On Wednesday, the expansion proposal received unanimous support from the city's Planning Board to allow owners to move forward with the project.
While the board was collectively in favor of the project, they did have concerns over safety and access to the building from Route 50. In order to ease their concerns and move the project forward, owners agreed to contribute $10,000 to the city for transportation improvements around the vicinity instead of installing a sidewalk along a narrow section of Route 50.
"The owners are looking to make the facility more family and kid friendly and more accessible for school outings," Dave Carr, of The LA Group, said. "They also want to make it more inviting to residents and make it a safer environment through repairs and that is why they are pursuing the project."
Construction should begin in July and the bowling alley will remain open for business while renovations take place.
"We've had a spectacular year and have a great community to work with," Sheldon said. "I want Saratoga Springs to have a family fun center that we all can be
proud of."
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Looking forward to seeing the new and improved Saratoga Strike Zone!