‘Plainfield Lanes’ bowling alley aims to form community ties

PLAINFIELD – Drivers on Route 30 will notice a brand new sign has replaced the old Pioneer Lanes fixture at Getson Avenue.

The new “Plainfield Lanes” sign was installed Tuesday and is part of a revamped initiative to bring the bowling alley back to the community after the previous owners were forced out by foreclosure.

Jon Dow, the new owner of the renamed Plainfield Lanes, said he is committed to making the bowling alley a community-based recreational destination.

“The main goal is for this to become a part of the community,” Dow said.

Dow, a Georgia-based bowling enthusiast and alley manager, purchased the struggling bowling alley March 31 after it was foreclosed by a bank.

The alley closed March 23 but has been fully operational again since April 8.

“The community has been extremely supportive,” Dow said. “My major focus has been opening and getting fully functional. This is my first ownership opportunity so I’m looking to stay for a long period of time and be a part of the community.”

The new logo is etched in various parts of the alley and new gaming machines have been installed in the arcade area near the main entrance.

But Dow said there is much more work to be done, including fixing the deep potholes in the private road leading to the parking lot. He also wants to bring in flat-screen monitors and other advanced equipment.

The indoor walls will be repainted as part of the long-term plan, along with more aggressive renovations that could quickly add up to $1 million.

Part of the long-term plan for the alley is to use the empty lot west of the alley, which is part of the property Dow purchased.

“We’re not going to do anything with it for another year,” Dow said, but indicated he would like to install mini golf or some other amusement attraction in the future. “We’ll find a way to utilize the land in the meantime.”

Mechanic John Demetralis, who has been working at the alley for about 15 years and has fixed bowling alley machines for three separate owners, said he was happy with the direction Dow is taking.

“He’s a nice person to deal with,” Demetralis said. “He’s got determination and you can see he really loves bowling.”

Dow was on several bowling teams when was he growing up, and he wants Plainfield to benefit from the alley. He renamed the alley to reflect his vision for it becoming a local destination.

“The people are what support this,” Dow said. “This is an outlet where people can have fun. It’s rewarding to me when I see them having a good time bowling.”