Now for something completely different. A new concept at the newest Bass Pro Shops takes bowling pin target shooting to a whole new level.
The new Bass Pro Shops store in Altoona, IA features a 15,000 square foot bowling center. The nautically themed Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill was an extensive joint effort between Brunswick and Bass Pro Shops to create the first-ever in-store bowling center.
“Our goal was to create something never seen before,” said Brent Perrier, president of Brunswick Bowling Products. “There is nothing else like it in the industry, and we’re thrilled that Bass Pro Shops chose Brunswick to be a part of it.”
This new 15,000 square-foot bowling center features 12 custom-designed lanes divided into two 6- lane areas, billiards room with a fireplace, two tournament pool tables and a casual family dining area for up to 150 people. An island-themed bar features an elevated 750-gallon saltwater aquarium of exotic fish.
Bowlers will walk up to a wooden ship to rent shoes and reserve lanes, while surrounded by hand-painted wall murals of ocean life along with fish mounts suspended from the ceiling.
Across the lanes, a custom designed continuous lane mural of beautiful sea life tops off the underwater atmosphere. The first-ever custom designed lane, Brunswick Anvilane, is imprinted with an amazing underwater scene depicting sea turtles, sharks and stingrays. Custom, themed lane markings that look like fish, provide visual guides for bowlers, while special-effect lighting makes the waters come to life. All of the elements incorporate glow-in-the-dark imagery that will make the cosmic bowling experience like no other.
To add to the family-friendly atmosphere, Brunswick exclusive Pinball Wizard offers kids bumper rails that keep them from rolling gutter balls.
Brunswick ball returns have been customized to resemble sharks and alligators, and bowlers will rest between turns in dock wood seat areas, which display fish “bragging boards.”
Even the bowling balls are custom designed Viz-A-Ball® bowling balls, designed and made by On The Ball Bowling, an official licensee of Brunswick Bowling and Billiards Corp., and feature images of sharks, seagulls, bobbers, octopus, leopards, mermaids, camouflage and more.
“This is a facility that you just have to see for yourself,” said Perrier. “It’s a breath of fresh air for the industry, and I hope it will inspire many more like it.”
