Published: August 13, 2008 11:36 pm            

Fairmont Bowling Center to hold Community Appreciation Day

FAIRMONT — If you have time to spare, treat yourself to a free game of bowling.

Fairmont Bowling Center is offering this and more on Community Appreciation Day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, as part of National Bowling Week.

“The purpose is to bring people in to bowl ... to introduce — or reintroduce — them to the sport of bowling,” said Mike Cimaglia, owner of the center.

“The purpose is to increase awareness of the sport and that anyone can participate, no matter your age.”

Come in to get a free game of bowling, free rental shoes, free T-shirt to the first 200 participants and one free hot dog, pop and chips per person.

“A lot of times people will come in and say they haven’t been bowling for 10, 20 years,” he said. “Bowling is geared to people of all ages. If they’re young but not participating in other sports, they may want to join a youth league. And we’re getting more seniors to bowl.

“People like the competition of bowling,” he said. “That’s number one. Plus, interaction with other people. And people like the fact this is a sport that you don’t have to be in great physical condition to do. You take a few steps, let the ball go and you’re bowling.”

The center has about 25 leagues, he said, from youth and senior leagues, special nights for college students. It hosted the kid’s state tournament last spring, he added.

“This is the first time we’ve done (Community Appreciation Day),” he said.

Door prizes will be given away to registered participants throughout the day.

“It’s for people of any age. Anyone can come in. You don’t need a reservation.”

Major prizes will be drawn for toward the end of the event: laptop computer, bicycle, bowling balls, Nautilus Connection membership, MCPARC season pool passes, Pirates game tickets, tickets to Idlewild and Kennywood parks, free bowling party and more.

“You don’t have to be there to win,” he said.

The 24-lane bowling center at 1 Kirkway Drive has been open at its current location since 1983.

“The price of bowling has gone up, like anything else, but at the same time, when you compare it to other activities, it’s still a reasonable price,” he said.

Fairmont Fire Department will have a truck the kids can check out. The Marion County Rescue Squad will do blood pressure checks. Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission will have a display.

For more information, call 366-0631.

E-mail Debra Minor Wilson at dwilson@timeswv.com.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.