New Look, New Name
Thunder Bowl Lanes, formerly Country Club Lanes, is undergoing renovations and new additions to enhance bowlers’ overall experiences.
By: Carol Beck-Round | Category: Consumer News | Issue: September 2007
Pam Martin, Chelsea Neldon and Dan Neldon make sure customers enjoy themselves at Thunder Bowl.
Dan Neldon enjoys both bowling and seeing people have fun. This combination of interests conveniently led him and his wife, Lora, to purchase their second bowling alley. Thunder Bowl, previously known as County Club Lanes, now has more than a new name. The Neldons, who purchased and renovated a bowling alley in Tahlequah in 2004, say Thunder Bowl is undergoing a facelift for a new look.
“It took us three months to get the Tahlequah location up and running,” Dan says. When the Country Club Lanes went up for sale, the Neldons immediately recognized its potential. “When I walked in, I could see all of the possibilities this bowling alley had to offer Claremore,” says Lora. “We are looking forward to its transformation.” The new owners anticipate an October 1 completion of repairs and remodeling on Thunder Bowl.
Located at 1400 W. Country Club Lane, the bowling alley will get a new look, both inside and out. In addition to a new exterior façade, the Neldons plan to add a fresh coat of paint to the walls and repair the ceiling. Other plans, which will improve customers’ bowling experiences, include sanding and refinishing the lanes. According to Dan, new bumpers and gutters and a new machine to oil the lanes will make the Thunder Bowl one of the best bowling alleys in the area. “We will be able to compete with any facility in the area when all renovations are done,” he adds.
By the time the transformation is complete, the bowling alley will sport modern seating for bowlers and spectators. Plans also include installation of an automatic scoring system with graphics on overhead flat screen monitors, which can also function as televisions for customer entertainment. Enhancing the bowling center will be black lights, lasers and theatrical lighting for a modern approach to the alley’s Saturday night “Glow Bowl.”
Customers’ bowling experiences at Thunder Bowl will be greatly enhanced when renovations are completed this fall.
Whether bowling or stopping by for lunch or dinner, customers will also be pleasantly surprised by the updated menu available at the snack bar. One of the things that has not changed, however, is the friendly face of Jane Steidley, who has worked 16 years preparing food behind the snack bar counter. “We will be keeping the same staff, including Fritze Roberson who has been the manager for the last six years,” Dan mentions. Roberson is also excited about the changes. “It’s going to be great,” she says. “With the new lane machine that lays down the oil, bowlers will have more consistent shots.”
Dan is also excited about adding more games to the arcade room. “There will be a lot more for kids to do,” he adds. “You’re going to get a lot more fun for your money.” According to Dan, Thunder Bowl will emphasize that bowling is fun for all ages. “We have bowlers who enjoy the sport all the way into their 70’s,” he says.
With a new look and updated facilities, all bowlers will enjoy the sport at Thunder Bowl in Claremore. New hours will be effective September 1. The bowling alley will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. the following morning and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. Stop by for a great time at your favorite bowling alley.
For more information, contact
Thunder Bowl
1400 W. Country Club Rd., Claremore, OK 74017(918) 342-1055
Laura Steidley will still greet customers when they visit the snack bar at Thunder Bowl.
About Author Carol Beck-Round
After 30 years in public school education, Carol Round retired and moved from Grand Lake to Claremore, Oklahoma in 2005, where she writes a weekly faith-based column which runs in 14 Oklahoma newspapers as well as several national and international publications. Three volumes of her columns have been compiled into collections: A Matter of Faith, Faith Matters and by FAITH alone. She has also written Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God and a companion workbook, The 40-Day Challenge. This past year she has written three children’s books, a series called Nana’s 3 Jars, to teach children about the value of giving, saving and spending money. All of Carol’s books are available through Amazon. In addition to writing her weekly column, authoring books and speaking to women’s groups, she writes for Value News. She also blogs regularly at www.carolaround.com. When she is not writing or speaking, she loves spending time with her three grandchildren, working in her flowerbeds, shooting photos, volunteering at her church or going on mission trips overseas, and hiking. She is also an avid reader and loves working crosswords and trying to solve Sudoku puzzles.
Thunder Bowl, Claremore
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Thunder Bowl, Claremore
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