Membertou bringing bowling back to Sydney with $4M entertainment centre

MembertouFirst Nation is aiming to become an entertainment destination, with plans to add a bowling centreand another building with 3D golf simulators near the community's Trade and Convention Centre.

It's the latest in a series of projectsMembertouis working on, includingconstruction of an $18 million sportsplex which features a double ice surface andYMCA fitness centre.

Construction is alsounderway ona major shopping centre located across Highway125 from Membertou, which is being calledChurchill Crossing.

The planned bowling centre in the $4 million project will also feature a 1960s-style hamburger restaurant.

Membertou Chief and CEO Terry Paul,who is an avid bowler, said bowling hasn't been available in Sydney since the Heather Lanes closed six years ago.

"Ever since that time, people had to go outside the city to get their bowling done," he said."We've gotten so many inquiries about it so we decided maybe we should look into this seriously."

Paul said a feasibility study alsoshowed a great interest in bowling.The 16-lane centre will be high-tech, with electronic laser scoring, Membertou'ssenior business development officerBillBonnar.

"The bowling is state of the art," he said.

Bonnar said they're now also working on three other large projects they're hoping to announce over the next year.

Construction crews are already on siteand Paul said they expect to break ground soon on the project, which is financed by Membertou.

It will be builtin phases, with the gaming centre opening firstfollowed by the bowling centre next spring.