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

  • One of the biggest changes we’ve seen in the bowling industry over the last 40–50 years is the declining availability of skilled pinsetter mechanics.

    In the 1970s, 1980s, and even much of the 1990s, it was far easier to find technicians who had been trained to work on traditional free-fall pinsetters. Many bowling centers employed full-time mechanics, and manufacturers maintained extensive training programs to support them.

    Today, those machines are still capable of providing a great bowling experience, but the number of technicians with the knowledge and experience to maintain them has steadily declined as many longtime mechanics have retired and fewer new technicians have entered the field.

    For our family, the question wasn’t whether free-fall pinsetters can work well... they absolutely can. The question was whether we could confidently support and maintain equipment of that age for the next 20–30 years while continuing to provide the level of reliability our customers expect.

    That long-term challenge was one of several factors that led us to invest in new pinsetter technology.

  • We carefully evaluated that option before making our decision.

    While modern free-fall pinsetters are excellent machines, purchasing new equipment was only part of the equation. We also had to consider what it would take to support and maintain that equipment over the next several decades.

    Our family has been involved in bowling since the 1970s, and one of the biggest changes we've seen is the declining availability of skilled pinsetter mechanics. While free-fall machines continue to provide a great bowling experience, finding qualified technicians to install, maintain, and repair them has become increasingly difficult as many experienced mechanics retire and fewer new technicians enter the industry.

    We still operate a center with Brunswick GSX free-fall pinsetters today, so this decision was not based on a belief that free-fall machines are bad. The question for us was whether investing in another generation of free-fall equipment was the best long-term solution for our business and our customers.

    After evaluating the available options, we concluded that Boost ST pinsetters offered the best combination of reliability, parts availability, serviceability, and long-term sustainability while still providing a bowling experience that meets USBC certification standards for league competition.

    Ultimately, our goal was not simply to replace old machines... it was to make an investment that would allow Fun Bowl to continue serving bowlers reliably for decades to come.

  • 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

  • Definitely Not! BOOST ST Pinsetters are INDUSTRY CERTIFIED.

    Boost ST is USBC-certified and PBA-approved for competitive and professional play, combining Brunswick’s industry-leading pinsetter engineering with advanced automation and intelligent control. Built for durability and performance, it delivers reliable operation and future-ready adaptability.

  • 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 will 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.

Time Lapse Videos of Installation