Dreams really do come true and next month will see one particular wish granted to the thousands of Kilkenny residents who have been eagerly awaiting news of the first-ever bowling centre for Kilkenny.
MacDonagh Junction is being true to its word and plans for a bowling alley are currently well underway with the highly successful K-Bowl of Naas, set to open their doors in mid-November in the Marble City.
The facility, which is headed by the Meehan family of County Kildare, is to provide a 10-pin bowling centre with catering, pool-tables, air hockey, an FX simulator, virtual mini-golf, computer games and a party zone at the pedestrian entrance to MacDonagh Junction.
The bowling centre will cater for all skill levels, from novices to league bowlers, and coaching will also be available.
Speaking to the Kilkenny Advertiser yesterday, Donie Butler, manager at MacDonagh Junction, said that he was ‘delighted and thrilled’ at the prospect of finally providing bowling facilities for the people of Kilkenny.
“This facility has been sought-after since we opened our doors 11 months ago. The number of enquires that we have had about the bowling alley would dwarf other enquiries 2:1. The Meehan family has a fantastic facility in Naas and we are thrilled that they have opted to open their second facility in Kilkenny at Goods Shed Way.”
The bowling centre will operate very flexible opening hours making the centre accessible to everyone, according to Mr Butler.
“We hope to keep similar hours to those of the cinema so we will be open until about midnight every evening. This is family entertainment and there are not a lot of facilities for families in Kilkenny so bowling will now be another option on people’s doorstep.”
Meanwhile Richard Meehan of K-Bowl says that they are very excited about their newest venture which is part of a larger expansion plan they have for the future.
“This is our second home and we have chosen Kilkenny as it has similar demographics to towns such as Naas and Newbridge. We have worked very closely with community groups in the past, such as senior citizens and the Irish Wheelchair Association who really benefit from the facilities in Naas, and we hope to do the same in Kilkenny. We are also recruiting currently and would welcome enquiries from potential staff locally. At the moment the centre is undergoing its fit-out - the lanes and equipment are due in from the States this week and we hope to be up-and-running by mid-November,” he added.
Meanwhile, local Fine Gael councillor and campaigner for youth recreational facilities for Kilkenny, Betty Manning said that this facility is ‘fantastic and long-awaited’.
“Social recreational facilities are so important for young people, particularly for those who suddenly don’t want to hang out with their parents anymore. It is wonderful that there will be a safe environment for them to spend time in. This centre will also cater well for the elderly at off-peak times when they can have the centre to themselves and also for those with special needs who have been travelling to Carlow and Waterford for years to avail of bowling. There is something for everyone from ages 7 - 70 and this will be a healthy community facility that everyone can enjoy,” she said.
