Bowling equipment put up for sale

By PETER HUSSMANN

It appears a local businessman has scuttled plans to open a second bowling alley in Newton after the equipment needed for such an endeavor was placed up for sale.

In September 2007, Levi Pence went before the Newton City Council and Jasper County Board of Supervisors asking for letters of support for his plan to develop a community center addition to his Skate Castle property on the west edge of town. Pence told the council and supervisors that he intended to more than triple his existing space with the inclusion of a bowling alley, restaurant, lounge, banquet facility and area to hold outdoor events. He sought the city's and county's support to seek state Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) funding for the endeavor.

On Monday, however, an advertisement for the sale of 16 lanes of bowling alley equipment appeared on craigslist at a sale price of $120,000. The equipment includes pinsetters, pins, returns, computer, monitors and hardwood lanes "removed from operating bowling alley to be moved to new location. Location not available so selling equipment." The seller's location was listed as Newton, Iowa.

Prior to Hy-Vee Corporation's purchase and demolition of the Newton Mall to make way for its new store, T&M Center Lanes operated a 16 lane bowling alley in the basement of the mall. Former T&M Lanes employees indicated to the Newton Independent that Pence acquired the equipment at that time.

Pence was unavailable for comment this morning.