RECHRISTENED CENTER TO BE REOPENED BY CHURCH

Safford Bowl was known for its Family Burger Bag Fridays (four burgers plus a family fries for $20), its Bacon Cheeseburger Basket Wednesdays (with a side of fries for $6.50) and its occasional $2 Beer Nights.

But after its owner closed the doors in 2023, unable to keep up with needed repairs on the venerable pinsetting equipment, word got out that a prospective buyer had plans to transform the building into a warehouse.

Fearing that the eastern Arizona community of Safford, located about two hours north of the border with Mexico, would lose one of its few options for family recreation, pastor Armando Fimbres of The Way church stepped in to save it.

Now, after more than a year of renovation — during which many members of the community volunteered to clean, paint and help in other ways — the center is scheduled to reopen early this month.

The venue has been rechristened the Good Times Bowling Alley, and plans call for it to be open seven days a week with many of the long-established leagues returning. There also will be a focus on providing an elevated food-and-beverage program (including breakfast) via a renovated kitchen and the addition of a coffee bar.