If Gary and Kim Clements’ dream becomes a reality, Falcon and eastern plains residents will have something more to do than hang out at the local watering holes, coffee shop or Safeway.If the pins line up just right, Thunder Bowling Alley will roll into town. The Clements’ dream revolves around a 49,000-square-foot center that includes a bowling alley with 12 to 18 lanes on one side and 12 lanes on the other to accommodate both leagues and open bowling, a 3,900-square-foot laser tag arena, 10 pool tables, a 1,500-square-foot video arcade, two meeting rooms and a restaurant. Plus, depending on how the new no-smoking law pans out in Colorado, the center may include an adult cigar bar and lounge with what Gary Clements said will be a state-of-the-art filtration system, allowing the bowling alley to be smoke free.The Clements also plan to serve state-of-the-art food selections like homemade bread and pizzas, oven-cooked spaghetti, Philly steak sandwiches and a salad bar. It’s not your typical bowling alley with hamburgers and hot dogs, Gary Clements said. “We intend to be competitive with the local restaurants.”For now, Clements isn’t revealing the whereabouts, but said the center is planned for “Falcon proper.” They are consulting with Ron Hodgen, co-owner of GJ Scores bowling center in Grand Junction, Colo. Hodgen has agreed to assist the Clements with their business plan and also train them and their management team and assist with the initial hires.Although the Clements have never owned a business, both have a variety of managerial experience in their background. Gary Clements spent 21 years in the U.S. Air Force as a structural technician. He’s also been involved with project management, general carpentry, locksmith experience, roof management and personnel management.Kim Clements has office management experience and what Gary describes as a strong sense of customer service – something they see as a priority in opening and maintaining a business. They also plan to be community oriented.”We want to develop relationships … so strong that they will view us as indispensable partners as opposed to just another business in the area,” Gary Clements said. “We will integrate with the schools by offering programs to help keep kids safe and off the streets: school rewards programs, school passes for seasonal breaks and league play to provide competition between schools and the districts. We will have Youth American Bowling Alliance leagues to promote growth and teamwork, and we’ll provide activities for birthday parties, sports leagues, church and community activities.”While they finalize their plans, the Clements have set up a Web site – www.thunderalleybowl.com – where they are asking visitors to complete a survey about their interests in the programs the bowling alley will offer. They are hoping for 1,000 completed surveys by mid-May, and so far they have 300. “I am asking everyone in the community to tell their friends and family about our Web site and survey,” Clements said. “The more names we can provide to the banks, the better the chances of bringing the Thunder Alley Bowling experience to Falcon.”And the experience, he said, is nothing like the traditional bowling alley.”Make no mistake, we not building your father’s bowling alley.”
