Bowling centres in RSL / Sports clubs

[GeorgeF]

I heard that a bowling centre in Australia over the next few years might move to a RSL / Sports club. I think this is a huge step for bowling centres and the sport.

I wonder if this will be a sign of the times?? In the UK there is a successful chain of bowling centres incorporating a tavern, pool hall and alley in the one complex where bowling is the secondary form of income. It provides an entertainment venue for the whole family and whilst alot of bowling centres in Australia have pulled off similar feats (such as Bowl Australia) no one has gone down the pokies gambling pathway.

Vegas proves that bowling centres are a success in gambling establishments and Reno built the purpose built stadium not really for the bowlers but the potential income that visitors and bowlers generate when they visit (gambling), which is millions (which it does).

What are your thoughts of bowling centres in Taverns/RSL's/ Hotels etc etc where not only gambling is involved but restaurents, cafes and entertainment is present???

I think the ability to put more money back into bowling is huge and might provide the answer to turn things around in Australia for the sport. The logistics are a nightmare but it is certainly something to ponder.............

 

[CJ]

There is already a bowling centre that is connected with a RSL Club. The new AMF centre at Dee Why in Sydney has been built ajoined to Dee Why RSL. Quite ironically - the RSL ripped out it's Lawn Bowling Green and half the car park and that is now where the tenpin centre is. There are 2 entrances to the centre - from the carpark or from the RSL downstairs where the sports bar is.

I went to the centre when I was in Sydney last and it has a great new look and I have heard that although it took a little while to get on it's feet - business is booming - especially on Fri/Sat nights when the crowds come in from the RSL and have a few games before heading off to the night clubs


CJ

 

[Easy Tiger]

I personally think that bowling centres which have a high family orientaion, should never be linked with gambling and pokies and stuff. Other entertainment such as restaurants and cafes and whatever...fine. But not gambling.

 

[AdrianS]

Sounds like we've got our first 'Vegas' style centre in Australia. Wonder where the 2nd one will be?

 

[Andrew Kwintowski]

Actually when I was recently on holiday in Poland, I must have been subconciously guided towards a bowling alley, because before I knew it I was in one and was surprised by what I saw.

As I walked in, the front desk was not a front desk but actually a bar, with a very large variety of beverages to choose from. Scattered around infront of this bar were a number of large black soft leather couches where there were couples sitting round talking and sipping on their drinks, having a great time.

As I walked towards the right, past the bar, I soon came upon about half a dozen pool and snooker tables all very well maintained and with accompanying leather couches, obviously placed there for 'chill out' purposes. And as I looked across this medium sized hall, across a !dance floor! I saw another drink bar on the other side of the room.

I walked past the pool tables and finally came across the 'front desk' where I purchased 2 games for my cousin and myself and had a very enjoyable day bowling.

Apparantly that place really filled up on weekends, especially in the evenings when it would actually be used as a nightclub where people could dance, drink and bowl. Now how cool would that be for bowling centres in Australia? It'd certainly bring some big bucks in, even if you didn't bowl, but preferred to dance and drink. Personally I like to do all three things. :wink:

 

[*MELIZA*]

hey everyone dont quote me on this but i have heard that bankstown bowl is being pulled down and is being rebuilt in the bankstown sports club and that the sports club and tba are gonna do a deal if there is tournaments there etc for people that want to stay in the motel part of the sports club

cheers mel

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Easy Tiger]

That sucks I reckon, leave it as it is

 

[MarkV]

I think that it's a great idea to have them anywhere, the more the merrier. Personally I like Bundaberg and Sunset Toowoomba as multipurpose family entertainment centres. I'm not so keen on the gambling thing but each to their own. It certainly would be a nice little earner though. The Bar / niteclub concept is a very good one and one that I hope we see more of.

 

[Easy Tiger]

I used to bowl up there in Bundy Still go back occasionally

 

[Stax]

In New Zealand, when "gaming" machines were allowed in bowling centres (they were not overly high payouts, about $250 was the major jackpot) it was stated that 90% of the profit generated by these machines must be put back "DIRECTLY" to the sport. If the same could be done here, and 90% of profits ploughed back into the game, hopefully mainly juniors, I believe this would be a huge benefit. Although this is going to be hard in Perth, with the Burswood Casino having a very large say into who can have these machines, in general around the country this could be a formidable amount of money.
Back on topic, the idea of a sports centre, with Bar / Tavern / TAB / RSL / Bowls Club / Cinema / Snooker Hall / Gaming Area / Dance Floor / Roller Skating (Ice) Rink / Cafes / Restaurants and of course Tenpin Bowling sounds great. So who has the $30,000,000 or so to kick if off. Any takers.

Stax

 

[ilive2bowl]

Bowling Centres in RSL/Sports Clubs

A most interesting topic! My opinion is that as long as we focus on our 'most important customers' (League bowlers) and concentrate our investment decisions on meeting their needs in regard to equipment, facility design etc, then, I think that tagging on a bowling centre to a Leagues / RSL Club is a great idea as it provides a fertile base from which to encourage social bowlers into League.

 

[midel]

Hi all,

This is my first post, but I thought I'd put my thoughts in.

With regards to Bankstown, I heard the same thing that it will be relocating and the bowling centre will turn into a bar or something like that.

Also heard Blacktown is on the relocation list too in the next few years.....I sure hope I'm wrong. They just got new ball returns. :lol:

 

[Tiger]

I've often wondered when this would happen, it is certainly one way of keeping centres in business, by linking them with a social club.
I always wondered why they didn't introduce pokies into Centres to maintain some income for Centres (Moonah would benefit from this greatly) with the profits generated into maintaining/improving facilities.
I've seen some absolute dives in this place flourish under these initiatives however, there is the down side, being gambling can affect people's lives so a limit would need to be enforced on it.
I personally would like to see centres be more like Social Club's anyway - where bowlers are invited to join as members and have voting rights and so forth.
I feel like a person who turns up and rolls my equipment down a centres lanes rather than a valued customer these days in most centres
Food for thought

 

[Easy Tiger]

I agree with Tiger in that league bowlers should have more of a say in what goes on in centres. Some aspects of social clubs being incorporated with bowling centres is ok, but some stuff I am sceptical of... :?