Bowlarama to bounce back after sale to Ucol

Wanganui's 10-pin bowling centre Bowlarama closes this weekend, but within 18 months the city could have the country's most modern 10-pin facility.
The three-quarter-acre site extends from Rutland St through to Taupo Quay and also has an entrance from Market Pl.
A key site for a Whanganui Ucol consolidated campus in the city's Old Town area, it is on Harbour Endowment land, leased from the Wanganui District Council.
It was reluctantly sold by owners David and Jeremy Maxwell and Kay Meuli to Ucol. Jeremy Maxwell, who is also Bowlarama's manager, said he and his partners hadn't wanted to close the centre but now saw it as a positive move.
"There's too much potential in Wanganui for us to walk away. Although the purchase price was not sufficient to rebuild, we are keeping an eye out for a site and are talking with council about the possibility of relocating at Spriggens Park.
"We are looking at the latest facilities in the US and hope to have a purpose-built, up-to-date centre within 18 months or sooner.
"In the meantime, we intend to set up a video amusement arcade here and, hopefully, employ our current staff," Mr Maxwell said.
Bowlarama is operated by two full-timers and one part-timer as well as Mr Maxwell.
Since it was bought by the trio in March, 2004, its patronage has increased. It is seen as a place to have children's parties as well as corporate fun events and socialise.
Mr Maxwell said his father, Ms Meuli and himself between them had 40 years' bowling experience, and owning a 10-pin centre was a natural progression.
"I moved from New Plymouth with my wife Jenny to run this centre, and fell in love with Wanganui. We don't want to leave."
Bowlarama's patrons include a 55-plus group that has 24 members who play Wednesdays and Fridays.
"It's rather sad the centre is closing, but we are hopeful of getting enough of the members interested in taking a van through to Palmerston North until a new centre opens," Bob McGahey, a member of the group, said.
His words were endorsed by fellow member Ken Wilson, who said 10-pin bowling was a great way of providing exercise, comradeship and an edge of uncertainty as to how a game would turn out.
Although Bowlarama is the only confirmed property sold to Ucol, it is understood the Federal Hotel has been sold and the former Maori Affairs/Probation Office building on the corner of Market Pl and Rutland St is about to be.
Other key sites are on Wanganui District Council's Taupo Quay Harbour Endowment land from the entrance to Moutoa Quay to Drews Ave. Council has confirmed that all the unoccupied land there is available for Ucol.
The only occupied properties are Te Wa/The Space Gallery, next-door Wanganui Community Arts Centre and the former bus depot mooted as the tramway centre for the No 12 tram currently being restored there by Tramways Wanganui Trust.
Tramways Wanganui Trust chairman Rob Vinsen has said it was possible Ucol might want the land once its plans for the area were confirmed.