By Luke Fitzgerald · Contributing Writer
For over 70 years, the Physical Learning Center bowling alley has provided fun for students who want to unwind.
Founded in the 1950s with the construction of the Physical Learning Center, the William H. Allen Jr. Bowling Alley was named after the man who ran and maintained it until his retirement in 1988. On a plaque beside the entrance, there is a dedication of Allen’s life and contribution to the bowling alley and the college as a whole, including his advisory role to the college bowling team from 1972 to 1983, his achievements as a Grove City golfer and his work as a scoreboard operator for Robert E. Thorn Field.
Along with the homage to Allen, a few other plaques and pictures along the bowling alley walls show its history. A commemoration of Bertram Hopeman, who donated to the college for the alleys, and some signatures of the student pin setters hang on the wall.
“They actually had student pin setters back in the earlier days,” Donald Makepeace, a bowling alley equipment manager, said. “In the 70s they put in automatic pin setters, which are the A2 machines that we have today.”
Makepeace started working part-time at the college’s bowling alley in 2015 and now oversees operation and maintenance of the machines.
“(There was) carpet and new seating put down there in 2016, but the rest of it’s pretty much the same as it’s always been, which I think is really cool,” Makepeace said.
Makepeace also expressed gratitude for the upkeep of the 70s aesthetic of the bowling alley, as seen in the chairs, ball returns and old-timey cash register.
Makepeace also wishes for additions to the alley, including an updated scoring system with extra game modes and repairs to some of the wooden seats. The bowling alley might not get these updates any time soon.
“I do think that a lot of the students really enjoy it, but unfortunately a lot of the students (…) don’t always know about it until they’re in their junior or senior year,” Makepeace said.
It seems this is the case, as when asked about his thoughts on the bowling alley, junior Bradley Riehl said, “I kind of forgot about it. I think I’ve been (there) twice in a year and a half.”
To show support for the bowling alley, feel free to go to the Physical Learning Center during its hours of operation: Thursday-Saturday 7-11 p.m. and Friday 3-5 p.m.
It costs $2 per person per game and $1 each for shoe rental — significantly cheaper than the average bowling alley. Also, feel free to register for the bowling class next semester, which meets on Wednesdays and Fridays.
