We need to support StrikeZone Imperial Valley

StrikeZone Imperial Valley will have a soft opening Saturday and we encourage all of you to be there.

The Imperial Valley opened a long-needed bowling alley when Brunswick Zone XL opened its doors in 2008.

The more than $10 million project was an initial success and provided bowling, arcade games, laser tag and more.

If you remember those first few years, you remember a vibrant, fun, successful bowling alley that was packed.

Throughout the years, several issues caused business to decline.

Coupled with declining customer service, rising bowling prices caused it to lose clientele and eventually closed its doors at 3 p.m. May 31, 2016.

That left a big void in family entertainment in the Imperial Valley.

On Saturday, the bowling alley will re-open under a new name and with new owners — StrikeZone IV run by ARC of Imperial Valley.

ARC, a nonprofit organization, has been in operation for 44 years and runs various programs in the county. Through loans from the Imperial County, and business deals with private investors, ARC is further venturing into business by opening the bowling alley that is centered around family fun focused on Imperial Valley families, not maximizing profits for a corporation that has no real ties to our community.

And we, as Imperial Valley residents, need to support this bowling alley. We need to showcase that we want these family-oriented establishments to thrive in our community, otherwise, they will once again have to close its doors … let’s not let that happen.

There are a few other businesses in the Valley that provide family-oriented entertainment, support them as well … we can’t let these businesses close.

So make it a point to head there this weekend, next weekend or somewhere in between, to play a round of bowling, play some arcade games, order a plate of food and help solidify this establishment’s goal of providing family-oriented fun.