NEW LONDON -Terry Hilbert and his staff at New London Lanes have been scrambling to complete renovations in the bowling alley that will coincide with the new addition being added on to the existing building at the corner of Wolf River Avenue and Pearl Street.
“All the old seating and tables for bowling are replaced now,” said Hilbert. “The old tables, chairs and ball racks went to FuddFest in Antigo. We have all new fixtures now.” On the floor is a new checkerboard tile that enhances the lanes.
Hilbert was excited about the huge expanse of carpet that went in last Monday – a bowling motif with a fluorescent accent lights up when black lights go on. “It should be a lot of fun to have on our floor,” said Hilbert with a grin, as he bent down to stroke the new carpeting.
The bar has been moved and the bowling center reconfigured, too. “It used to be that people had to come to the center of the bar to get their shoes and take care of their bowling,” recalled Hilbert. “Now, you can sign up and get your gear at the near end of the bar, without having to weave in and out of people. It should flow a lot smoother now.”
As for the new addition, the footings were poured before the heavy rains came to slow work on the project. Instead of pouring the concrete floor, as would typically be done on this kind of construction, the steel beams went up next, to give the ground time to dry out. Hilbert says that by the end of August Badgerland Builders should have the building complete, with the interior completed sometime in October.
“There will be plenty of seating, over 100 once it’s finished,” said Hilbert. “We have an inside/outside area going in where up to 38 people can be seated.” This area will be available for smokers and non-smokers alike.
Hilbert is not ready to reveal his expanded menu, but is working on the details. “We hope to have something for everyone by the time all is said and done,” said Hilbert.