By Ed Townsend
CALLICOON — A revival of the sport of bowling is presently taking place in the building that once housed Callicoon Lanes and on or about July 1 the completely renovated and refurbished 10-lane Brunswick Callicoon Kristal Bowl will open for business under the ownership and management of Kristal Whitmore.
The bowling center, which has been closed for several years, is undergoing major renovations and improvements.
Kristal noted that she and her husband Mark and their daughter and son make their home in Damascus, Pa., but over the years have spent a majority of their time in Callicoon.
Renovations at the new Callicoon Kristal Bowl include improvements to the kitchen area and addition of a dining area. Kristal has baked locally for a number of years and emphasized that “Kristal will be baking.”
She said that in addition to having fresh homemade baked goods, the Kristal Bowl kitchen will provide, pizza, sandwiches, snacks, dinner meals and a nice variety menu. New flooring has been added in the kitchen and bar area and the bowling center will carry a full liquor license.
Major changes include a new roof, added insulation and a new modern “greener” heating system.
The present Brunswick A-2 pinsetters are presently being totally refurbished with all new parts by Joe Gager, who went to Brunswick school several years ago. The pin deck area is being leveled and new kickback plates are being added on all 10 lanes.
The center will feature an automatic scoring system and as soon as the summer camp season is over, the 10-lanes will be re-sanded and refinished for leagues that will start in September.
Present contractors working at Callicoon Kristal Bowl include Vennis and Dan Brown of Mid-West Construction and Kristal’s brother, Kory Keesler, of Kory Keesler Contracting.
The important aspect of lane conditioning and the upkeep and maintenance of the lane conditioner will be handled by Mark Whitmore and Kory Keesler and lanes will be conditioned on a daily basis. Open bowling, camp bowling and birthday parties will take place during the summer months with winter leagues forming in late July and early August.
Callicoon Kristal Bowl can be reached at (845) 887-6887.