Bowling comeback? Local man hopes so

Now, the nearest bowling alleys to Morrisville are Missisquoi Lanes in Lowell and Twin Lanes Family Fun Center in Berlin.

Morrisville resident Kasey Small wants to bring the sport back to his hometown. He’s started an online fundraiser to build a new bowling alley in Morrisville, an idea that he believes “could benefit the town greatly.”

The fundraiser, hosted on gofundme.com, had raised $20 of its $2 million goal as of Monday. It has until Nov. 9 to reach its goal.

“I am a big fan of bowling and always have been,” Small said. “As a child, I grew up with the sport and I continue playing and loving the sport today.”

Small says his family has been bowling for as long as he can remember. He was just a week old when his parents carried him into Morrisville Bowl for the first time.

“It was a huge part of the town, bringing some entertainment for families to enjoy,” Small said. “Not only that, but leagues filled up the alleys almost every night.”

Small recalls the bowling alley as “the place to be.”

“As a child, I considered it my second home because of the enjoyment I had watching and playing the game of bowling,” Small said. “I want to bring that back, not only for the adults who would like to stop traveling 45 minutes to an hour to bowl in leagues, but for the youth who do not have the opportunity to enjoy the great game.”

Money will pose a challenge, he said. He does not have the money or experience required to build a bowling alley and is relying on others to help bring the idea to fruition.

“Bowling alleys are not cheap and we need help with investors to make this happen,” Small said. “There is no doubt in my mind that those who invest will get their money back and (then) some.”

Bowling alleys have the potential to be very profitable when correctly managed and maintained, and can attract business from neighboring towns, according to Small.

Todd Thomas, Morristown’s zoning officer, donated the first $20 to the fundraising efforts.

It’s difficult to speculate on the potential economic impact a bowling alley could have on the town without knowing where it will be located, Thomas said.

“What I can tell you is that this is a community that values recreation and potentially having a bowling alley come back to town, especially for the winter months, will be well received by the residents,” Thomas said.