E-dition No. 1,054 • Friday, April 26, 2019
Editor: Bob Johnson (bjibob@aol.com)
Bowland Centers Receive Bomb, Shooting Threats
The Bowland center in Naples, Fla., received multiple phone threats Saturday night, prompting the center to be evacuated.
According to reports, Bowland Beacon Bowl received a call at around 7:30 p.m. claiming that there was a bomb on the property. That was followed by additional calls, with the caller stating that he had a gun and would “blow heads off.”
Police responded to the location but found no evidence of a bomb. The center was evacuated around 9:30 p.m. as a precaution.
The company’s Fort Meyers location also received a threat.
The owner of the company, Pat Ciniello, is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or people making the threats.
Caffe Milano, a restaurant in Naples, also received a phone threat at around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The caller, whom an restaurant employee described as a young man, said he had a bomb strapped to his chest and would be arriving at the restaurant in five minutes.
The owner decided to evacuate the restaurant, and police set up a perimeter around the building, closing sidewalks and streets. Again, police were unable to find anything suspicious.
While both incidents may ultimately be chalked up to pranks, bomb threats and threats of mass shootings are taken seriously today, given the proliferation of such events around the country. Florida, alone, has seen seven mass shootings in less than three years, dating back to the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016, at which 49 were killed.
BPAA Schedules Security Seminar at Bowl Expo
Center security will be the topic of a seminar at BPAA’s International Bowl Expo in June, presented by Gonzalo Cordova. The former police officer, deputy sheriff and head of a narcotics task force is now a protective security advisor for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a new operational component of the Department of Homeland Security.
Cordova was interviewed for the April issue of BJI’s sister publication, Bowling Center Management. In case you missed it, and because of the importance of this topic, here is the text of that interview…
Q: The main focus of CISA is critical infrastructure protection, and one of the sectors involves commercial facilities. That’s where bowling centers would be categorized, right?
A: Yes. That sector covers real estate, hotels, casinos, mass assembly locations, arenas, stadiums and convention centers — some of which would be considered soft targets. We have to look at risk in all the activities that we conduct on a daily basis. There’s always the potential that something might happen at any of these venues at any time.
Q: Those are the places that are considered soft targets, but how do you actually define a soft target?
A: These are places that are open to the public, easily accessible, and may or may not have security measures. It depends on the location, expected attendance and other factors. If you think about it, most mass shootings in the United States have taken place in locations that made it fairly easy for the shooter to do a lot of damage in a short time.
Q: In Las Vegas, the shooting that has come to be known as “One October” took place at a location that had what would have been thought of as good security.
A: That’s right. There was a case where nobody could have anticipated someone actually shooting across a busy street from a hotel room. It wasn’t something you’d have a contingency for. But now, I guarantee you that sort of thing is considered when planning security for events in Las Vegas.
Q: What does CISA do for independent business owners such as bowling center owners?
A: Most of the critical infrastructure in the United States does not belong to the government. It belongs to the private sector. We provide many types of resources to the private sector. Many of those resources can be found online at dhs.gov. [Ed. Note: Click on the Frequently Requested Pages button, select the Security & Preparedness category, and click on the Active Shooter Preparedness link.]
Q: What’s the best basic advice you can give a bowling center owner when it comes to center security and being ready for an active-shooter incident?
A: It’s important to have a plan — some sort of security plan. It doesn’t have to be super sophisticated, but everyone who works for the center should have a role and needs to know what to do. The key it to get as many people as possible out of harm’s way as quickly as possible.
Q: I’m guessing someone needs to be designated to call 911.
A: Yes, but only after getting to safety. There probably will be customers calling, too, but it never hurts to call. Police need to know, and so do other first responders in order for any injured people to get help as quickly as possible.
Q: What other advice do you have to help proprietors with preparedness?
A: I believe it’s very important to establish a relationship with local law enforcement — some of whom will be bowlers. It’s important for owners to reach out. Have them come by for a cup of coffee, have them look at the facility and ask for advice. Most police departments will be happy to have someone stop by. They will be the boots on the ground if something unfortunate happens.
Q: And what about advice for the bowling center employees?
A: Have a listing of your first responders — beyond 911. The managers, supervisors, and all key personnel need to be contacted. Have all those points of contact available. Also have some signage along the lines of “See something, say something.” Awareness and communication is very important on the prevention side. They could even consider having a disaster drill with staff members one day before the center opens. There’s also some FEMA training that people can take online.
USBC, South Point Extend Partnership Through 2033
The United States Bowling Congress and the South Point Hotel and Casino have extended their partnership agreement to bring USBC Championships events to South Point’s Tournament Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas through 2033.
The extension of the agreement will have the USBC Women’s Championships taking place at the Tournament Bowling Plaza in 2029 and 2032, while the USBC Open Championships will visit the venue in 2030 and 2033. The extension keeps each event at the venue every third year.
“The South Point Bowling Plaza was designed to be a top bowling tournament facility, and in its short five-year existence, quickly has become a favorite venue of USBC tournament bowlers,” said South Point Hotel General Manager Ryan Growney. “We appreciate the support of the bowlers and we’re excited to host these major events for many years to come.”
This year’s Open Championships at the Tournament Bowling Plaza will have approximately 10,500 five-player teams participate in the 116th edition of the event. It is the tournament’s fourth trip to Las Vegas and second time at South Point Hotel’s 60-lane bowling tournament facility, where it first was held in 2017.
The Open Championships will also visit the site in 2021, 2024 and 2027.
The Women’s Championships was the first major USBC tournament held inside the $35 million Tournament Bowling Plaza, when 6,123 four-player teams competed in 2016.
In addition to 2029 and 2032, the Women’s Championships will return to the venue in 2020, 2023 and 2026.
Future sites of the tournaments:
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
2020 — Reno, Nev.
2021 — Las Vegas
2022 — Houston
2023 — Reno, Nev.
2024 — Las Vegas
2025 — Baton Rouge, La.
2026 — Reno, Nev.
2027 — Las Vegas
2028 — To Be Announced
2029 — To Be Announced
2030 — Las Vegas
2031 — To Be Announced
2032 — To Be Announced
2033 — Las Vegas
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS
2020 — Las Vegas
2021 — Addison, Ill.
2022 — Reno, Nev.
2023 — Las Vegas
2024 — Cincinnati
2025 — Reno, Nev.
2026 — Las Vegas
2027 — To Be Announced
2028 — To Be Announced
2029 — Las Vegas
2030 — To Be Announced
2031 — To Be Announced
2032 — Las Vegas
PiNZ to Open First New Hampshire Location
PiNZ, one of the industry’s leaders in bowling and social entertainment, has announced it will open its first New Hampshire location at Portsmouth Green in Portsmouth in late fall. The 20,000-sq.-ft. venue is the company’s fifth location.
PiNZ will offer a complete social entertainment experience with 10 luxury lanes, interactive and virtual reality games, along with a restaurant and bar.
“We are excited to be bringing our awesome and unique blend of entertainment along with upscale food-and-beverage options to Portsmouth.” said PiNZ CEO David Breen.
PiNZ also will feature an elevated nightlife experience along with an outdoor patio and bar.
“Waterstone is thrilled PiNZ will be calling the Portsmouth Green home this fall,” a Waterstone Properties spokesperson said. “PiNZ will be the perfect complement to our line-up of cinema, restaurants, fitness, grocery and retail tenants. With so many unique entertainment options under one roof, PiNZ will offer something completely unique to New Hampshire’s seacoast communities. There’s nothing like it in the area.”
PiNZ will bring unique fun for everyone, including dedicated corn hole and patio pong lanes, along with a chef-inspired menu and catering for corporate and group events. The venue will be located in the former Big Lots building next to the Cinemagic Stadium 10 theatre.
MacBrayne Sees Laser Tag as Key Component of The Summit
Creative Works recently installed a custom Indiana Jones-inspired laser tag attraction at The Summit in Thornton, Colo.
The Summit Thornton is a new 50,000-sq.-ft. family entertainment center that opened in February. It’s the third Summit location in Colorado, and features a 175-seat bar and grille, 24 lanes of bowling, a game room, and the Hidden Temple Laser Tag Adventure. The center was featured in the April issue of Bowlers Journal International.
With more than 35 years of experience previously working with Brunswick Retail Bowling, Summit owner Don MacBrayne has seen how laser tag can add value to the attractions mix at a bowling entertainment center.
“In the early days of Brunswick Zone XL, we determined that laser tag was a great component to the overall mix,” MacBrayne said. “Like bowling, laser tag is something that three generations of family can do together. It is a wonder component to corporate group events and birthday parties, and is generally a well-received activity for our casual guests.”
MacBrayne’s vast experience gave him confidence that laser tag was the right choice for his attraction mix at the Thornton location. He went all out to create an experience that customers wouldn’t find anywhere else.
Inside the Hidden Temple Laser Tag Adventure is a two-level 4,000-sq.-ft. custom laser tag arena with interactive snake head bases, a realistic aqueduct, and a 16-ft. snake tower center prop. The wall murals paint a scene of temple ruins, a rainforest, and an erupting volcano so players will feel fully immersed in the world.
The entryway to the arena was custom designed for The Summit, with door signage shaped like snakes, a rainforest wall mural and a Medusa medallion.
Another reason MacBrayne added laser tag to the attraction mix was to encourage repeat play.
“People are coming back for laser tag,” he said. “Our arena is so unique in design and layout that people love it and keep discovering new play opportunities.”
While MacBrayne’s background is heavy in the bowling industry, he doesn’t view laser tag as a small part of The Summit’s overall experience.
“We don’t consider laser tag as just an incremental [piece],” MacBrayne said. “It is a major component along with our games, bowling, food and bar. If a vest is down, it’s as critical as a lane being down.”
Business Briefs…
* A new Stars and Strikes location is coming to Hoover, Ala., with an anticipated opening in the summer of 2020. The facility will span 55,000 square feet and include 24 lanes — eight housed in a VIP area — among its attractions. Hoover is a suburb of Birmingham, which presently is home to a family-focused attraction called TreeTop Family Adventure, which includes Route 66 mini-bowling among its offerings. The Birmingham location will be the second Stars and Strikes in Alabama, joining one in Huntsville.
* In the March issue of BCM, the topic of the cover story was Allegiant Air getting into the family entertainment center business with a concept called G4CE. The company presently has locations in Clearfield, Utah, and Warren, Mich., with a third coming soon to Fort Wayne, Ind. The company recently rebranded the FECs from G4CE to Allegiant Nonstop.
* Speakers have been confirmed for the Lasertron Conference, set for May 7-8 in Rochester, N.Y. Beth Standlee of Trainertainment, author of the soon-to-be-released book, “People Buy From People,” as well as BEC’s “Standlee on Sales” column, will provide the keynote. Also scheduled to appear is Ben Jones, one of the “Three Amigos” behind the F2FEC conference, whose expertise extends from commercial real estate and family entertainment centers to event planning and professional sports. And Harold Skripsky, long associated with Discovery Zone, will be the “Fireside Chat” interviewee. Also on the speaker roster are Ann Krull from Redemption Plus, Dave Reiners from Betson Enterprises and Bradford Doolittle of Haas & Wilkerson Insurance. Registration information is available by calling Ann Kessler at 305-257-3930 or Greg Watches at 716-748-6430.
* Pinsetter Bar & Bowl in Merchantville, N.J., hosted its first Brewers Bowl event on April 18. Representatives of 10 local breweries were invited to battle it out on the lanes, while guests enjoyed craft beer, half-price wings, raffles and open bowling. The intention is to make the Brewers Bowl an annual event.
* Although California has two state proprietors’ associations, they work together on various projects. These include an annual retreat, which this year will be hosted by the Bowling Centers of Southern California at the Kona Kai Resort in San Diego, Oct. 20-22, and a bowling party for state legislators, the next edition of which will be held Feb. 5, 2020, at Country Club Lanes in the state capital city of Sacramento.
Other News You Can Use…
* In a Round of 16 PBA Playoffs match that featured two of the Go Bowling! PBA Tour’s premier two-handers, No. 1 seed Jason Belmonte beat No. 17 Kyle Troup in a Race to Two Points match at Bayside Bowled in Portland, Maine, that aired on FS1 Monday to advance to the Round of 8. Report: http://www.bowlersjournal.com/jason-belmonte-kris-prather-advance-to-pba-playoffs-round-of-8/.
* The Robert Morris-Illinois women continued their comeback ways in Saturday’s title match at the 2019 Intercollegiate Team Championships and Webber International’s senior anchor closed his college career with a title at Poelking Lanes South in Dayton, Ohio. Details: http://www.bowlersjournal.com/champions-crowned-at-2019-intercollegiate-team-championships/.
* McKendree junior Breanna Clemmer and freshman Tom Hankey Jr. of Webber International each captured national titles at the 2019 Intercollegiate Singles Championships, also held at Poelking Lanes South. Report: http://www.bowlersjournal.com/2019-intercollegiate-singles-championships-titlists-determined/.
* Returning for an encore appearance this week on Phantom Radio is Northern California proprietor Jim Wangeman. To listen to part two of the conversation, click here:
https://kegel.squarespace.com/phantomblog/2019/4/24/jim-wangeman-phantom-radio.
* We know we’re early with this week’s edition of the Cyber Report. Reason: We’ll be on the road for the rest of the week. And in case the boss asks… yes, we’ll be working.
* CONTACT: Please send business news, event information, etc. to Bob Johnson at bjibob@aol.com. For breaking business news, visit bcmmag.com or bowlersjournal.com, and “Like” Bowling Center Management and Bowlers Journal International on Facebook. BJI Cyber Reports are now archived at bcmmag.com.
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