Morgan Hill Bowl has undergone a complete remodel and plans to
reopen in February under new ownership
Morgan Hill – It’s been more than five years since the Morgan Hill Bowl shut its doors. In February, the center will once again open its doors to the community, under new ownership and with a facelift so dramatic it will be hardly recognizable.
Part-owner Tom Barger III comes from a family with a strong bowling tradition and he is committed to bringing back an updated bowling/recreation center for families in the community of Morgan Hill.
“Today people have high expectations,” said Barger. “Previously what they had in there was from the 1950s. Nobody reinvested back into the center.”
Barger is changing all of that.
The new Morgan Hill Bowl has been expanded and completely remodeled to reflect today’s technology. All 32 lanes have been completely redone, and are now synthetic instead of wood, which will provide more consistent conditions. The scoring will now be automatic, as will the bumpers for younger children and inexperienced bowlers.
The new center will also have an expanded sports bar lounge with window looking out onto the bowling area and big screen televisions. There will be a new game room with six regulation sized pool tables and vintage pin ball machines.
Betsy’s restaurant, which has been doing business in Morgan Hill for more than 20 years, is going to be incorporated into the bowling alley to provide customers with full meals as well as the usual finger foods and snacks.
“Morgan Hill is ready for a center like this,” said Barger. “I think it will appeal to all members of the community.”
While league play usually dominates most of the lanes at bowling alleys, Barger is committed to keeping at least eight lanes every night for open play or family play.
Barger and his partner are spending close to $80,000 on a sound system and several drop down big screens that will play music videos as well as glo-in-the-dark lighting for Friday and Saturday nights.
“Our goal is to provide a clean, safe place for families to come and enjoy,” said Barger, who has been working on putting the project together for more than two years. “It’s been quite an investment. It has been a bit of a slow process, but we’re trying to do it right.”
The new Morgan Hill Bowl are going to be offering annual memberships and family plans.
“We felt that membership would be a great value,” added Barger.
In addition to offering membership packages for families and individuals, the Morgan Hill Bowl will be fully subsidizing a youth bowling program.
“Today it costs so much money to play organized sports, that we want to fully subsidize a youth program,” said Barger. “If the kid has the desire, whether they can afford it or not, they’ll be able to bowl.”
When Barger talks about the center and what it will bring to the community the excitement and enthusiasm is evident on his face.
“We are really focused and committed to the community,” he reiterated. “I think the community will be proud of this center. The city of Morgan Hill has been fantastic to work with. All the local support from the mayor and the city council has been great.”
Everyday Barger takes calls from community members inquiring about when the center will be open and he has been giving tours daily to anyone who wants to see the progress. In fact, on Thanksgiving Barger arrived to find at least eight people waiting at the front door with their bowling bags.
“I told them if they could set their own pins up, to go for it,” joked Barger.
Barger is planning a “soft” opening for Morgan Hill Bowl in the first week of February and then a fantastic grand opening in mid-March.
