Bowling s of 466.
 

Any thoughts or rumors about a new bowling alley to service people s of 466.

There are no rumors about a bowling alley south of 466.

You can always start a rumor. [emoji3]




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My user name should be EdF(formerly from)NJ and glad to be gone. [emoji3]

I believe this subject came up several years ago and, at that time, it was shot down. Probably have to be a private undertaking outside of TV.

Whats wrong with the two we have ?

You don't live too far south, do you. :)

You might be thinking of the new Bowl Bar restaurant that is going in by New York Pizza.

Crowded.

Bowling is really popular. There is no doubt in my mind that a bowling facility near Brownwood would be hugely successful.

My idea would be to close one of the current facilities and turn it into an ice arena.

A 15-20 lane bowling alley, according to Brunswick would cost you well over $2 million to buy land, build building and equip. The number of bowling alleys in US has gone down by about 30% since 1998. Not a good bet for ROI.

AMF Lanes in Leesburg is only 7 miles from Brownwood Sq. It's actually closer than Spanish Springs. Of course it's not golf cart accessible.

I love to bowl. I'm just not very good at it (116 average). I would like to join a bowling league, but I feel like I wouldn't be such a good addition to anyone's team. If they opened a new bowling alley somewhere, I'd feel more comfortable joining a newly forming group. They might be too polite to kick me off if I were a founding member.

The distance, they are too far for us southerners......40 minutes by cart, 20 + by car. Leesburg is closer and easier.

There is a bad bowlers league that is a lot of fun. At 116, you'd be a star.

Is that the same as the Fun Bowling Group run by Larry Smith? I'm with CFrance, love to bowl, but not so good at it and I'm also not very competitive, just do stuff because I like it, not to win! Spent too long in the rat race, now want to relax and enjoy.

Aren't they saying the same thing about golf trending in the US? Yet TV is sure not following that trend.

I believe the TV developers are always looking for an opportunity to build/lease out commercial space for savvy business people. Based on announced residential sales plans south of SR 44 it wouldn't surprise me if a bowling/indoor video golf complex will be open within the next 5 years or so. :cool:

Don

Golf courses in US are in about a 10% decline. Not as drastic as bowling alleys. Golf course development is even more expensive and risky than bowling alleys.

TV builds golf courses to sell real estate, not to make profit on the golf courses.

Timeframe
 

I agree but think the timeframe could be in the two or three years range.

Bowling is in decline but still much fun. I was once a very avid bowler. Had all the gear, 3 balls for different lane oil, drilled by the premier driller in the city, and the best shoes of course. Bowled in a scratch league at 16 with a 200+ avg. Even considered an attempt at the pro level, but I was not consistent enough for them. Recently I bowled for the first time since HS (36 years ago) and I bowled about a 130. I guess it’s not like riding a bike, you do lose it. After I retire if I find an enjoyable league I may take it up again.

Seriously? Where is that!

I know there are bad bowlers leagues at Fiesta Bowl, and I believe at Spanish Springs Lanes also.

Bowling may be declining in the US, but as with most things, it’s a different story in The Villages.
I have no doubt a Brownwood-area bowling center would be successful during the peak season.

we have a fun league that bowls sunday eve. at feista bowl we used to start at 7:30 but the league before us that has been there for years dropped out due to lack of bowlers we now start at 6pm have 22 teams used to have 32. you cant take a golf cart to leesburg and a 15 or 20 min. ride to have some fun once a week in your home town isn't a inconvenience we do it all the time for a dinner or department store.

I bowl several times a week, and all of the leagues I am in are handicapped, so your average does not really matter. As stated above, there are "bad" bowler leagues. There are also some leagues that have well above average bowlers. I know Spanish springs has flyers at the desk with a listing of available leagues. I also know that people are constantly dropping out for various reasons, we have been short a bowler since the 3rd week of bowling in one league. The are trainers available at both lanes, and they have been very helpful.

I started as a 113 average bowler when we moved here, now up to 170 (my lowest league) to 190 (my highest league). I would love to see an new facility in the Brownwood area. By the way I know of people that come from as far away as Kissimmee and Ocala to bowl at Spanish Spring lanes, when I asked why, they responded that these lanes are much better then what they have close by!!!

TV is a commercial developer that (smartly) builds/sells homes to create and attract commercial development.

Selling residential is a one time income producer. Leasing commercial space provides a long term revenue stream.

And they are one of the most successful commercial developers in the country. :)


It would be great to have an indoor, multi-sport, cart accessible complex in TV :thumbup:

Don

It WOULD be great to have a indoor, multi-sport, cart accessible complex in TV. Thanks Don.

You have it exactly backwards. TV developers make the lion's share of their profits by building and selling homes. Multiply 60,000 plus homes at average sales price of $250-300K, then multiply that sales volume with profit per sale of 20-30%. The value of commercial leases they have in the town squares is a very small fraction of their profit from new home sales.

No, TV is not one of the most successful commercial developers in the country. They are small fry at this. They are however, one of the most successful residential developers in the country. That is their business.

If a new bowling alley is such a sure commercial success in South Villages as many here assert, raise the $2 million or more and do it yourself. I wouldn't hold my breath for the Morse's to do it

That drive could ruin your whole day...:icon_wink:

Finally someone that has inside information on developers business plan and profit streams. Thanks for sharing.

while i agree we need more bowling facilities there doesn't seem to be a lot of investors.

Beautiful lanes but they’re full most of the time

Years ago, there was a sign up across from Brownwood. It was for a bowling alley, coming soon. Well, it never happened and eventually, a restaurant was built. Can’t remember the first one, but eventually became O’Shea’s....now a few stores and an Urgent Care facility there.

Wow, I had no idea you worked for the Developer. :rolleyes:

Aloha. I think what he said was valid and correct information. (But pure conjecture when it comes to profit margins, they are always reinvesting)

The Morses are builders and developers and have a residential business and a commercial business. They actively seek customers for both, but cannot FORCE any business to open in this area.

I get the same response many times when I defend the developer. NO. I don't know him. The closest I have ever come to Mark Morse was last year when I sat with my husband in the front row at the "State of the Villages" presentation, the only one we ever attended and we had such close seats because Henry was first in line.

The need for a Bowling Alley may be real, but it is going to take a person who wants to part with several million dollars to add a new one. Here or anywhere. The developer builds the building for a business that needs a building.

I honestly think a bowling alley complex near brownwood would be a huge success.

Bowling s of 466.
 

"Peak season" is the keyword. That's really only 3-4 months. For the other 8-9 months they would be crying. New Seasonal businesses are tough to sustain with a multi-million $ investment.

That being said I'd love to start bowling again. I used to be decent lefty (-180avg) . Now with arthritis and old age setting in I'd be afraid to toss that rock. I also HATED the smokers. I'd come home stinking like a cigar and hated it.

Is smoking allowed in local lanes these days?




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My user name should be EdF(formerly from)NJ and glad to be gone. [emoji3]

However............
today's slow season population is equal to or higher than 5-10 years ago busy season. It has been and continues to be an annual rolling growth.

It would probably be as successful as the nearby AMF in Leesburg.

Last summer we paid $35 and were allowed to bowl three games every day. That shows how little business they had.

No need for me to have worked for the Developer of TV to make some conclusions. I have over 40 years experience as a contractor, broker, realtor, senior executive, and have worked for some of the largest US home builders. 20-30% profit margins are pretty standard in the industry.

It is also easy to see that Morse family business is focused on residential construction. The golf courses, rec centers, town squares etc are just vehicles and amenities to sell homes, their main business. Sure they make money from these amenities but that profit is dwarfed by what they make from home sales.

Previously, when I worked for another large Florida developer, we had a meeting with TV developers. They are very efficient in managing costs of construction, for instance they tell contractors how many pounds of nails they can use for a given floor plan. We came away very impressed.

Actually, winter leagues are 32 weeks August to April, and the lanes tend to be fairly full during the winter leagues.

There is NO Smoking anywhere inside the buildings.

Leesburg AMF lanes are the closest to us, but we go the extra distance to Spanish Springs as the lanes are in much better condition, IMHO.