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Outdated, stale and boring. Those are just a few of the words customers used to describe their bowling alley. Their old bowling alley, that is.
For the past nine months, the Ramstein Bowling Center staff has been in the process of upgrading its facility. First opened in 1976, the facility hasn’t been upgraded since 1993.
“We had to put a new face on this bowling center,” said Phillip Brewington, 86th Force Support Squadron bowling center operations manager. “It was just falling apart.”
Teardown began in October 2014 resulting in a partial closure of the center and a complete shut down in March 2015, which temporarily moved all bowling leagues and activities to the Vogelweh Bowling Center.
Everything from flooring to furniture to new plumbing was installed. Most of the items used came from the U-Fix-It store which saves customers money by allowing them to purchase supplies and equipment on base at a fraction of the cost of off-base retailers.
“At first the renovation project was estimated to cost around €30,000,” Brewington said. “We did it as a U-Fix-It project and completed it for about €10,000.”
During the renovation, the center gained enough square footage to allow for the addition of almost 40 more seats, a new party room and an entire new drink service station. The center officially reopened Aug. 3.
“The changes that they made make this place pretty modern,” said Airman 1st Class Jeremy Scott, 721st Aerial Port Squadron ramp services specialist and frequent bowler. “It was gloomy before, but now you feel more comfortable in here.”
Ramstein and Vogelweh bowling centers are currently planning events for their 40th anniversary in 2016.
