Leslie Hitchcock, Staff Writer

An on-campus bowling alley is a nice luxury, but Appalachian State University students may soon have to venture into Boone if they want to wear bowling shoes and throw a few strikes.

After proving to be problematic, the student union’s Smoky Mountain Lanes may change faces if a renovation proposal is approved, said Director of Student Programs David Robertson.

According to the proposal, it is recommended that the bowling alley be renovated into a multipurpose room to benefit student organizations, Robertson said.

The proposal suggests that an architectural firm be brought to Appalachian State to revise the space located on the student union’s second floor.

“The room will be a multipurpose space that will serve the students’ best interests,” said Robertson.  “Banquets, receptions and one-time special events such as career fairs can be held in this area.”

The room will also be used for additional space for productions of the Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS), Robertson said.

With its close proximity to the Gold Room kitchen, outside exits and bathrooms, the room is ideal for such occasions, he said.

The multipurpose room will not be reserved for meetings. Robertson said the Grandfather Mountain Ballroom, also located in the student union, will still be used for this purpose.

Renovations will not be made without student input. Robertson has proposed a possible planning committee to make decisions on behalf of the students.

He anticipates to have representatives from various organizations, including student union staff members.

Robertson also hopes to incorporate ideas from the managers of Legends and the student union.

Student use of the bowling alley is average. According to a 1996 sample telephone survey, 44.5 percent of students surveyed have used the lanes, said Robertson.

The 30-year-old bowling alley has caused problems in recent years. Robertson said the floors have been sanded every four years, but he estimates that they may not withstand another sanding.

Ball returns are also breaking down. “The university has hired a full-time mechanic to rebuild them, but things are breaking faster than he can fix them,” said Robertson.

Revamping the lanes would cost approximately $200,000 in student fees, and herein lies the problem with renovations of the bowling alley itself. “We don’t want students to pay for this if they won’t be using it,” he said.

The group that uses the bowling alley most frequently is a special education class from Watauga Opportunities. Representatives from the organization have expressed disappointment that the lanes might shut down.

“We will be very sad when (the bowling alley) closes,” said Director of Center for Exceptional Children Marilyn Sturgill.  “Appalachian has been very good to us.”

Sturgill explained that the bowling alley has provided more than leisure time. “It has provided for a year-round training program that is part of our school curriculum and training for the Special Olympics,” she said.
 
 

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