Change in leadership leads to improvements at Coshocton Bowling Center
COSHOCTON – Dave Shepler has lived in Coshocton all his life and remembers the days when the bowling alley was packed with people.
“Back in the 70s when I was growing up there was a waiting list to bowl,” he said. “All the lanes would be full and you’d have to wait to bowl until after the leagues were done.”
Shepler is hoping to once again make the bowling alley the place for young people to be. His brother Greg has been part owner of the business for 19 years and Dave recently bought his partner’s share of the alley.
Since becoming an owner/manager of the Coshocton Bowling Center, Shepler has been working on numerous updates. The parking lot has been repaired, the carpets cleaned and lighting inside and out updated. Flat screen televisions were added to the alley and the Legacy Lounge and Sports Bar now has four big screen televisions.
“One is 70 inches and three are 55 inches,” Shepler said. “It (the lounge) has been cleaned and painted. We are just waiting on Time Warner to get our sports packages. We also are looking to add a liquor license.”
The lounge will be available during its off hours for people to rent to have parties or meetings.
Another big change that Shepler is excited about is the alley’s new website, www.coshoctonbowlingcenter.com, which should be up and running soon.
“You’ll be able to go there to sign up for newsletters, book parties, check for specials and see our events calendar,” he said.
One of the events already scheduled is Rally at the Alley from 9:30 to 11 p.m. on Fridays after home high school sporting events. For $5 per person you can bowl unlimited games, but you must pay an additional fee for your shoe rental.
Another event already planned is a Halloween party from 9 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Oct. 25. The cost is $10 per person and you get unlimited bowling while listening to music and free shoe rental. People are encouraged to come in costume.
Shepler also is very willing to work with groups on fundraisers. The local Blue Star Mothers group already has a Bowl for Freedom fundraiser set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 to benefit local veterans.
“Give us a call and we will work something out with you,” he said.
One more feature about the bowling alley is that Shepler is now having waitresses from the snack bar come to people’s lanes to take orders.
“Customer service is something we are really trying to improve on,” he said. “Waitresses will be at the lanes especially on league nights.”
These are only the beginning of the improvements Shepler plans to make.
“I want to update all the automatic scoring next summer and do five more underground ball returns,” he said. “Improving our rock and bowl lights is still on this year’s project list and I’m always looking at small things to improve.”
Shepler has worked for AEP for 41 years and is looking forward to having the bowling alley as a retirement project whenever he decides to take that step in life.
“I’ve worked for people all my life and now I’m going to get to experience what it’s like to have people work for me,” he said.
The Coshocton Bowling Center is currently hiring and more information on its job openings can be found at http://coshoctonjfs.org/jobboard/alljobs.php.
In addition to adding to the alley’s staff, Shepler wants to get more youth interested in bowling on teams.
“Bowling is a high school sport now and I’d like to get it started here,” he said. “We also now have a youth travel team, which is something that hasn’t been here for two years. I want to keep kids in Coshocton, in here and out of trouble.”
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
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