MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Community members joined together at the Strike Zone here to celebrate the second anniversary of the multi-million dollar bowling center July 4.
The bowling center offers 20 professional lanes, a pro shop, gaming room, billiards room, the Eleventh Frame lounge, a children’s play area, locker rooms, Pizza Hut, A&W and slot machines.
“We’ve now been open two years,” said Matthew Niedzwiecki, Strike Zone general manager. “This was a very involved process to open this bowling center. I know that local (Marine Corps Community Services) along with the command went back and forth with Headquarters MCCS. A lot of effort on a lot of different levels went into building this place.”
In the past year, a women’s bowling league was added on Wednesday nights and monthly tournaments were added to every last Saturday of the month.
“We want to add additional leagues and also work together with all the (family readiness officers) to get more unit function type events here (in the following year),” said Niedzwiecki.
The bowling center has different themes each night of the week for both the experienced andainexperienced bowler to enjoy. The cost is $2.25 per game plus a $1.25 shoe rental. Student bowling is held Mondays through Thursdays for only 50 cents per game.
Tuesdays are Penny A Pin bowling starting at 6 p.m. Bowlers pay a penny per pin knocked down. For competitive bowlers, free games are given for women who bowl a score of 210 or higher, 225 or higher for men, and 150 or higher for children.
Starting at 6 p.m. Thursdays is Red Head Pin bowling. If bowlers bowl a strike with a red head pin, they receive a coupon. Two coupons earn bowlers a free game. Coupons can be redeemed during open bowling only.
Friday nights at 7 p.m. is Friendship League bowling. Fourteen teams participate in this event. A limited number of lanes are available for open bowling. Reservations are not accepted during this time.
Cosmic bowling begins immediately after Friendship League bowling at 10 p.m. Fridays and also starting at 7 p.m. Saturdays with black lights and the jukebox playing music.
Sundays are Family Fun Time bowling. Kid-friendly movies are played in an alcohol- and tobaccofree atmosphere.
The Eleventh Frame is open but no alcohol is permitted outside the lounge.
“I enjoy family bowling the most,” said Virginia Stowe, who utilizes the Strike Zone on a weekly basis. “Even though my son isn’t old enough to bowl, he can sit and watch the movies playing on the big screens while we bowl and have a good time.”
Lunch time bowling specials are held 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Bowlers will receive one free game of bowling with each A&W or Pizza Hut lunch valued at $5.49 or more. The free game is only valid on the day of purchase.
The Strike Zone is open 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 11 a.m. - midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
The Eleventh Frame is open 3 - 11 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 2 p.m. - 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. - 11 p.m. Sundays.
The Pro Shop is open for your every bowling need from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily.
Bowling balls, bags, shoes and accessories are available for purchase along with a selection of billiards and dart board accessories. Ball drilling, plugging and restoration services are also available.
For more information on bowling times, leagues, upcoming events or to make a reservation, call the Strike Zone at 253-3495.