Membertou bringing bowling back to Sydney with $4M entertainment centre
George Mortimer | CBC News | Posted: June 28, 2016 9:00 AM | Last Updated: June 28, 2016
Project follows construction of sportsplex and shopping centre
Membertou First Nation is aiming to become an entertainment destination, with plans to add a bowling centre and another building with 3D golf simulators near the community's Trade and Convention Centre.
It's the latest in a series of projects Membertou is working on, including construction of an $18 million sportsplex which features a double ice surface and YMCA fitness centre.
Construction is also underway on a major shopping centre located across Highway 125 from Membertou, which is being called Churchill Crossing.
The planned bowling centre in the $4 million project will also feature a 1960s-style hamburger restaurant.
Membertou Chief and CEO Terry Paul, who is an avid bowler, said bowling hasn't been available in Sydney since the Heather Lanes closed six years ago.
"Ever since that time, people had to go outside the city to get their bowling done," he said. "We've gotten so many inquiries about it so we decided maybe we should look into this seriously."
Paul said a feasibility study also showed a great interest in bowling. The 16-lane centre will be high-tech, with electronic laser scoring, Membertou's senior business development officer Bill Bonnar.
"The bowling is state of the art," he said.
Bonnar said they're now also working on three other large projects they're hoping to announce over the next year.
Construction crews are already on site and Paul said they expect to break ground soon on the project, which is financed by Membertou.
It will be built in phases, with the gaming centre opening first followed by the bowling centre next spring.