“It” is the new eight-lane “VIP Suite,” recently opened at Poelking South. With a state-of-the-art audio system, trendy furniture, private bar and upscale feel, the VIP Suite is a relatively new concept in the Dayton market. The only other comparable facility is “Insiders by Poelking Marian Lanes” in Huber Heights. But boutique bowling centers — as well as hybrid centers like Poelking South — have been cropping up across the country for more than a decade.
“Mike (Poelking) and I had been looking at doing something like this for the better part of eight to 10 years,” Poelking said. “We traveled more than once to check out other centers.”
From Missouri to Alabama and even Oregon, Poelking made the rounds before deciding what would work best for his Centerville bowling center.
In addition to creating a private, upscale bowling venue, the VIP Suite — which can accommodate up to 150 guests — is equipped with Xtreme FX Cosmic bowling and multiple big screen televisions. Think dance club meets bowling center.
But it’s not all fun and games as the facility also includes a spacious conference room, ideal for meetings or corporate events. Team building programs can easily move from the conference room to the lanes.
“This is a big step forward for us,” Poelking said. “It’s really a separate business inside of our existing business.”
Construction of the VIP Suite began about a year ago. The then-52-lane center lost a lane as a wall was constructed to create the private suite. Poelking South now has 43 traditional lanes as well as the 8-lane VIP Suite.
From corporate events to milestone birthday parties and rehearsal dinners to reunions, according to Poelking, the options are endless.
“And when you leave here, we want you to feel like you had a VIP experience,” he said.
For more information, contact event coordinator Jamie Wray at jwray@poelkingbowling.com.
Little idea, big difference: Angie Trego wanted to make a difference.
Trego, a longtime area bowler, lost her son Nicholas shortly after birth in March 2012. He was born with anencephaly, a serious neural tube defect.
It is in his honor that Trego initiated the Nicholas Lee Trego Little Angels basket raffle. All proceeds will be used to create “Nicholas Packages” — gifts for patients battling cancer at Dayton Children’s Hospital.
“This fundraiser started as a little idea I had to help spread some happiness, honor my son and raise awareness about anencephaly,” Trego said. “My tiny little idea has grown in a big way.”
Raffle tickets will be on sale throughout March with the drawing at Dayton Children’s on April 1. For information, visit the 1st Annual Nicholas Lee Trego “Little Angels” Fundraiser page on Facebook or contact Trego at 937-414-8297.
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