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The Story Behind the Machines at Fun Bowl Fayette County

When Fun Bowl Fayette County first opened in 1987, the center was originally supposed to be equipped with brand-new AMF pinsetters.

But sometimes history has other plans.

Just as the center was preparing to open its doors, AMF was in the middle of a major strike. New machines were impossible to obtain, and suddenly the future of the center was uncertain before the first frame was ever bowled. Rather than delay opening or give up on the dream entirely, the current owners, with the help of our family went to work finding another solution. That meant searching anywhere possible for machines that could keep the project alive.

Some of the pinsetters that eventually arrived at Fun Bowl Fayette County came from Japan. Others were sourced from different locations around the United States. None of them were truly “new,” but they gave this bowling center its start, and for nearly 40 years, those machines have helped set millions of pins. League nights. Date Nights. Birthday parties. First strikes. Late-night games with friends... Generations of bowlers have grown up hearing the sound of those machines running behind the lanes.

Over the years, our team has worked tirelessly to keep them going. Parts have become harder to find and more expensive. Repairs became more frequent. But through decades of maintenance and care, those pinsetters continued doing the job they were brought here to do in 1987—keep bowling alive at Fun Bowl Fayette County. Now, after all these years, we’re at the beginning of a new chapter. This upgrade isn’t about forgetting where we came from. It’s about building on it.

The machines behind our lanes have a story most people never knew: a story of determination, problem solving, and doing whatever it took to open the doors back in 1987. And today, that same spirit continues as we invest in the future of bowling at Fun Bowl Fayette County.

Over the last several years, we’ve made improvements throughout the building. Now, we’re back to the pins.

Because while technology may change, the goal stays the same:

Creating a better experience for every person who walks through our doors.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Upgrade

  • We are upgrading our pinsetters as part of one of the biggest investments we’ve made since 1987. This upgrade is focused on improving reliability, consistency, and the overall bowling experience for all of our guests.

    Additional lane improvements include:
    * Pindecks
    * Kickbacks
    * Flat Gutters
    * Massive Improvements to the ball return system

  • Our existing pinsetters have served us for decades, but over time maintenance has become more frequent and parts have become harder to source.
    Rather than continue patching aging equipment, we chose to invest in newer technology designed to deliver smoother and more reliable operation

  • League bowling will continue at Fun Bowl Fayette County. One of the biggest goals of this upgrade is improving consistency and reducing downtime during league play so bowlers can spend more time focused on the game and less time waiting on equipment issues.

  • Our current pinsetters average around 500–700 frames between stops. The new system is designed for approximately 13,000 frames between stops, greatly improving reliability and reducing interruptions during play.

  • We are working hard to minimize disruptions throughout the installation process. Some lanes may be temporarily unavailable at different stages of the project, but we will continue communicating updates as work progresses. We have purposefully waited until summer for this project not to interfere with our Fall League Season.

  • The installation process is expected to take approximately 6 to 8 weeks to complete.

  • Most guests may not notice what’s happening behind the scenes—but they will notice the results:

    • smoother games
    • fewer interruptions
    • and a better overall experience from start to finish.

  • Absolutely. If you have a question about the upgrade or would like more information, feel free to reach out through the contact form below on this page. Our team is happy to help.