ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 12, 1996 TAG: 9610140021
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
Bowling dates back to the stone ages, at least according to the Flintstones. In the New River Valley, it has a 36-year history.
The sport hasn't changed much in time. A ball is still rolled down an alley in an attempt to knock down a triangular group of 10 pins - the same as it was in Bedrock.
So when the phrases "state-of-the-art" and "bowling center" are put together they seem a contradiction of terms. What could be state of the art about bowling? According to Terry Stike, manager of the future NRV Super Bowl in Christiansburg, plenty.
The bowling center, which is owned by a variety of local investors, has a projected building cost ranging from $4 million to $5 million. Stike, who will be in charge of day-to-day operations, will start taking applications for 20-25 positions in January. The center is set to open in early February. The 43,000-square-foot facility will be equipped with 40 synthetic (as opposed to wooden) bowling lanes, retractable bumpers, pulsating lights, an oiling machine that will remove any old oil and put down a fresh coat daily and computerized scoring terminals that will display graphics and advertisements from local merchants.
"Our main goal is to make the bowling center convenient to everyone," Stike said. "If the demand is for 24-hour operation then it'll be open 24 hours. If the public wants a league night to be smoke-free then we'll do it. We're going to send a questionnaire out, definitely to all the bowlers, and to others in Montgomery County. We want the public's input."
Another goal will be attracting big tournaments. Stike has already put in a bid to host the 1998 Junior State Tournament, as well as the Moose International Bowling Tournament. He said he hopes to eventually host the men's, women's and mixed state tournaments as well.
"I'm almost 100 percent sure we're going to get the junior tournament," Stike said. "And we have the Moose Lodge of Montgomery County scheduling meetings with the national coordinator for their tournament, too."
Ann Dillon Crawford, president of the local Golden Triangle Women's Bowling Association, estimates a single tournament would bring in 10,000 tourists to the area. Most tournaments run four consecutive weekends during late spring, or summer. Crawford said meetings are under way to bring the Moose Lodge regional tournament to the new bowling center, a mixed tournament that she estimates would bring 13,000 to 14,000 visitors.
"It would definitely pack the motels every weekend of the tournament and restaurants would definitely benefit," Stike said.
With two bowling centers used for the tournaments, Stike has put the bid in for the NRV Super Bowl and his previous employer, the older and more established Triangle Lanes in Christiansburg.
"The NRV needs two bowling centers. Whether or not it can support it, that's another thing. But we need two to draw the big out-of-town tournaments," said Stike, who formerly worked for Triangle Lanes for 18 years.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Alan Kim. Terry Stike at the future site of NRV Superby CNBBowl, which he will manage when it opens sometime in February next
year. color.