You don’t must lease sneakers at a brand new bowling alley in Waterloo – you’ll be able to simply play in your personal.
Splitsville, situated on Marsland Drive, formally opened to the general public on Friday. It’s the thirteenth location for the corporate and one of many few alleys with relaxed footwear guidelines.
“You can get them if you need them, but if you’re wearing your own shoes, that’s okay too,” mentioned Bryan Younger, the regional assist supervisor for Splitsville Ontario. “The bowlers seem to love it.”
One visitor who confirmed up on opening day mentioned they like having the ability to carry their very own.
“Pretty much for the hygiene,” defined Rob Danausks.
There are some limitations, the most important being no open-toed sneakers.
Rob Danausks prepares to bowl on the Splitsville location in Waterloo. (Colton Wiens/ Ontario Chronicle)
The brand new 43,000 sq. foot leisure facility options 24 lanes of tenpin bowling.
“I think it’s really cool,” Danausks mentioned. “I think it’s lit up nice and everything being new, it just looks like a lot of fun.”
Eight of the lanes are devoted to VIP play which boasts higher seating and lighting.
Younger calls it an “elevated experience.”
VIP lanes at Splitsville bowling alley in Waterloo on July 12, 2024. (Colton Wiens/ Ontario Chronicle)
Splitsville doesn’t have fivepin bowling at its Waterloo location, as they are saying it doesn’t provide the identical monetary worth as tenpin.
Household enjoyable centre
The bowling alley has been arrange in a constructing that was previously a nightclub and, earlier than that, a curler rink known as Tremendous Skate 7.
Now, it’s extra of a household leisure heart.
“We’ve got 43,000 square feet, 24 bowling lanes. We’ve got 50 to 60 arcade games, some of the brand new VR stuff. We also have some retro games,” Younger defined.
Lanes for leagues
Splitsville focuses a bit extra on leisure than most bowling alleys, however they’ll additionally offer league play.
In response to the Canadian Tenpin Federation, new venues are all the time good for the game.
“We have wanted one for some time. We do have AMF Frederick (Lanes) the place I primarily bowl out of,” mentioned Jane Vetero, second vp of the Canadian Tenpin Federation. “Then there’s Kingpin at Bingemans. Now this one right here.”
Pins on the Splitsville bowling alley in Waterloo, Ont. on July 12, 2024. (Colton Wiens/ Ontario Chronicle)
Tenpin membership took successful through the pandemic, she added, but it surely’s been rising ever since.
She has excessive hopes for any future leagues at Splitsville.
“When you get into the sanctioned leagues, then you definitely get the aggressive bowlers after which, ultimately, they do have a chance to try to compete for Workforce Canada,” Vetero mentioned.
