The inauguration of the Bowling Museum Hall of Fame and International Bowling Training and Research Center is this week in Texas. It is a culmination of a lot of hard work of the people who really care about bowling. Freeway Lanes is a proud supporter of this hall of fame just like we support competitive bowling all year long in the Cleveland area. We believe it is important to teach bowling to our young kids, as well as lending a hand to local high school programs. Currently Freeway Lanes is home to 9 high schools. In the fall we were bestowed the honor of being the home of the Notre Dame Falcons bowling team. We are proud to display their flag in our center and welcome them here for practices and meets. It has proven beneficial to all involved. Freeway Lanes is dedicated to all its league and competitive bowler’s. If you have not been on a league lately, why not give it a try. It is a great night out and good way to meet new people.
Starting new for us this year is a host of people. Bob Gager joined us as COO of Freeway Lanes, and along with him came his lovely Wife Cathy. Both are rich in history in the bowling business, and both are accomplished bowlers. We also have a new general manager of Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe, Tim Mullen. He comes to us via Atlanta and is welcomed addition to the center. His positive can do attitude is contagious, and his big personality is hard to miss. Finally, we have a new league coordinator, Amy Salter. She comes to us via Western Bowl in Cincinatti. She is an accomplished bowler, believes in the game, and has already had a positive impact on the business. She also will be working on strengthening our tournament business. If you see any of these four people on the concourse, please give them a warm welcome.
David Patz, long time friend and partner has now stepped down as President to perform his exciting new role of Vice President of Sales. Any of you that know Dave know that his is a consummate salesman, and his is looking forward to his new role. He has many exciting ideas and already has impacted the sales in his first 15 days in office. He will remain active in the business as a partner and as Vice Chairman of the board. As Freeway Lanes plows into the next decade, Dave will be sure to be there to help develop and implement the exciting changes coming in the near future. Dave will also be active in Done-Rite Bowling where he will serve as President. Done-Rite represents manufacturers of bowling equipment and supplies to the bowling industry.
We get many questions about the Mentor renovation project. As many of you may realize the lending environment is pretty tough out there. No banks want to even talk to you about new capital, and certainly Freeway lanes is not immune to this. We have had to table this project for at least 12 months and will wait and see where this business environment is going to take us. I look at the completed drawings in my office every week and look forward to the day of implementing this project. In the mean time Larry Demoss continues to do an excellent job of improving customer service and keeping the place clean.
2010 should prove to be a good year for all. I feel it is time for all of us to improve our lives and the lives around us. Things may not has gone as planned in 2009 for many of us, but we need to be healthy and let go of what we did not accomplish, and thrive on what is ahead of us. Be well, go bowling and live happy!
Sincerely,
Glenn E. Gable
CEO
Freeway Lanes Bowling Group
