North Bowl Lanes introducing new game options July 2

PLATTSBURGH | North Bowl Lanes, a popular regional bowling center, has been in the Munson family for four generations. They closed in June for a major equipment upgrade and are ready to reopen for public play on July 2 (the date is July 1 for league players) with entirely new entertainment experience options. A variety of game challenges will be available on lane consoles, along with classic bowling games for everyone: families, kids, youth and competition bowlers. Owner Robert "Bob" Munson and nephew Keegan Munson, who is co-owner John Munson's son, shared some of the excitement they've been installing in the alley. EXPERIENCE BOWLING North Bowl is moving to entirely new Qubica/AMF BES X technology, bringing game, graphics and challenge options. "There are 40 experiences to choose from, and that includes Classic bowling and a PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) game," Bob Munson said in a recent tour of their new system. The tech installation provides unique bowling play on all 32 lanes, with games for children, family fun and teens as well as holiday fun. One of the new "experiences" is called Monster Factory, which is played in five shots. Bowling begins with nine boxes of different monster faces, and the youngster wins one of them based on the number of pins knocked down. "They build a monster in five shots," Roberts said. Another experience is designed for competition between two lanes. Battle on the Lanes starts with a solid castle on each lane's monitor. As pins are knocked down, the computer sends a cannon ball to damage part of the opposing lane's castle. "The damage depends on the number of pins knocked down," Robert said. "Whoever destroys the other castle first wins." ANIMATION FUN Graphics technology will allow players to take a photo of themselves at the lane screen -- if they want to -- and it will pop up as a comical figure when it's their turn to bowl. "The animation changes for different shots, a gutter ball or a strike, it's comical," Munson said. The new BES X tech system includes Lane Talk, accessible with an app. "Lane Talk is a free app that lets players see their scores on their device in real time," Munson said. "It can be used for tournament play or to watch a favorite competitor." And the system provides a messaging system between lanes at the bowling alley. MONITOR BANK The new tech installation added 42 new monitors to equip all 32 lanes plus screens for live television and advertising. Munson said the Qubica/AMF team installed the screens in 10 days. They add a bright LED shine to the alley and a rainbow selection of bright colors for the pins. The system connects to a central control board managed by the North Bowl operator at the front desk. Bowlers will choose the experience they want to play and it will be programmed on their lane consoles. "It also allows automatic bumpers," Munson said. "When families come in to bowl with children or grandchildren, we can set the bumpers to automatically rise when it's that player's turn. Before the bumpers had to stay up. It's amazing." There are 40 experiences to explore, Munson said. PINSETTERS The biggest improvement, he said, is the pinsetting equipment. They are completely new, tied in to the Qubica/AMF system. North Bowl's mechanical machines, first installed in 1959, were entirely removed. In their place are 32 computerized pinsetter units, each enclosed behind box panels to protect employees from moving parts. "The pins are set on string machines," Munson said, "using nylon ropes. The number of machine stops we have will decrease by 95 percent." Bowling pins still boom and crash when the bowling ball hits. Players watching their delivery will still hear that satisfying crack and clatter echo through the alley. "But the pinsetters are just so quiet when they reset," Munson said, lifting a nine-pin diamond with a switch in the pin room. It hummed. "Every part of the machine is serviced from the back. The customer experience and the employee experience is just going to be so much better." The pinsetter and Qubica/AMF system is sanctioned by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) for league play, Munson said. Classic bowling remains the system mainstay, along with a pro league experience. ............................... LEGACY OF FUN The North Bowl upgrade brings the bowling game to a new generation in a family that helped open the lanes in 1966, almost 60 years ago. Ann and John Munson slowly bought partners out as years progressed, and their children, Danny, Patti, Bob and John took the business helm in 1997. "All four of us worked in the business," Bob Munson said, "and all of our children have." Bob's son-in-law Eli Ryan became general manager of the restaurant and lounge area last year. "He has increased offerings that we have for the customers," Munson said. Dan Munson's grandson, Keegan, was working on final touches last week. He switched on the 32 lane screens to flip through game experiences available on the North Bowl computer menu. "It's a fun business," Munson said. "Everyone comes in to play. We have seniors in their 90s who bowl every week, and children five years old who bowl in the winter. We've had families with four generations playing together. "I grew up in it," he said, eyeing rows of new lane consoles and game terminals that they hope will connect local players to a new sense of bowling adventure and just plain fun. North Bowl rents lanes for parties of all kinds, birthday or anniversary or other celebrations, he said. "We have had people get married here because they met here. "By fall, we will have our web reservation system available online for people to book lanes. They can also still call to reserve a game." North Bowl hasn't changed their prices in three years, and decided to increase the cost per game by 50 cents. Bowling experience games are charged by the hour. Shoes are available for rent and bowling balls are sold in the shop. Even with the high-tech jump, Munson said, they are still the same friendly staff. "We've got a great, great staff. We are expecting a break-in period of two to three months while our staff and customers are learning. The most important thing is still enjoying the time together and socializing." North Bowl Lanes opens July 1 for bowling league players to check out the new equipment. On July 2 they officially open to the general public. The bowling center is located at 28 N. Bowl Lane. For information about reservations or league play, call 518-561-1690. North Bowl summer hours are Tuesday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and then 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday is league play only. And Friday and Saturday, the bowling alley opens from 5 p.m. to midnight. The alley is closed on Sunday and Monday.

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North Bowl Lanes introducing new game options July 2

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