Eight bowlers lined up, bowling balls in hand, competing to be the first person to get a strike at UAF's newly renovated bowling alley on Friday.

The group included Chancellor Marshall Lind, Provost Paul Reichardt, Vice Chancellor Mark Neumayr, Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Services Kathleen Schedler, Dean of Student Affairs Tim Barnett, Scott McCrea of TVC and the Alumni Association, ASUAF President Thom Walker, and Jackie Smith, a Wood Center employee.

When "go" was yelled, each let his or her ball fly.

Walker won with a strike on his first try, while others, like the chancellor, hit only a few pins.  

"The last time I threw a bowling ball was before these kids were born," Lind said jokingly. 

The grand reopening celebration lasted from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. It was kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by the first strike competition. Afterward, students were allowed to bowl for free and compete for Nalgene water bottles, courtesy of ASUAF. Over seventy people attended the opening.

The bowling alley, now named Polar Alley, underwent renovation for over six months. Now students can bowl all week long.  

The alley was a mess before the renovation, according to Jeri Maxwell, Associate Director of the Wood Center. Score keeping was done with pen and paper, the pinsetters would often break down, and large garage-style doors hid the bowling alley from view during the day.

"Many students and staff never knew it existed," said Maxwell.

Because the bowling alley received limited business in the past and often was closed due to malfunctions, the alley was nearly closed by the university, said Lydia Anderson, Director of the Wood Center.  

"The former director had wanted to remove the lanes and renovate the space for additional meeting rooms and student office space," she said. 

ASUAF and other campus students heard about this possibility and talked to the chancellor about fixing it.

"Without him, this would not have happened," said Maxwell.

The Wood Center also contributed funds and support, and soon the bowling alley received the repairs it had long needed. The garage door was replaced with a glass storefront, computerized scorekeeping devices were installed, and the pinsetters were refurbished with brand new parts.

Other improvements include a ramp for wheelchairs, better lights, new wood for the lanes, and additional space.

The project also involved the help of several UAF students. Larisa Brundson helped design the alley's "midnight sun" theme. Courtney Stoneking and Orvin Dabney came up with the name "Polar Alley."

Stoneking and Dabney's name was chosen in a contest with over 130 entries. As the winners, the two now have lifetime passes to the alley.

"Non-transferable," Anderson joked.

More changes are coming. The bowling alley coordinators are excited about the addition of "Thunder Alley" in mid-February. Thunder Alley, also known as cosmic bowling, adds black lights, lasers, fog, and music to the bowling experience during weekends.

Everyone involved, including the chancellor, is happy that the project is finally done.

"The kids need it, they like it, and its important to have things to do," Lind said.

Student bowling costs $3.00 per game and shoes cost 50 cents. For students interested in trying the bowling alley for free, ASUAF is hosting free bowling every Saturday in February from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. and RHA is hosting free bowling on February 15.

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