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RecRoom in downtown Lakeland is opening four duckpin bowling lanes to the public on Monday, June 15, at 4 p.m. The duckpin bowling space, previously occupied by Lkld Live, adds another fully-operational bar, bathrooms, seating, and arcade games.
Duckpin is a smaller version of traditional bowling.
“You still get the full experience of bowling, and you can play a classic game, much like you do at a regular lane,” said Rosie Robinson, co-general manager and minority partner, who’s been with RecRoom since 2020. “But your lanes are a little bit shorter, your balls are smaller and lighter, and your pins are on strings.”
In addition to classic bowling, players at RecRoom can choose interactive arcade-style games. Duckpin balls do not have holes.
Robinson said that because the balls are lighter, duckpin bowling is more accessible. She hopes the new addition will attract more families to RecRoom.
RecRoom Hours
Monday through Friday: 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
RecRoom is family-friendly and open to all ages every day until 9 p.m.
21+ after 9 p.m.
Rooted in Baltimore
The owners of RecRoom first encountered duckpin bowling at a convention. “We went and tried and played it out in other venues, thought it was a really fun option that fits into what RecRoom already is but lets us expand into new stuff that we have never done before,” Robinson said.
It’s believed that duckpin bowling was invented in Baltimore in 1900. Two members of the original Baltimore Orioles and future members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, John McGraw and Wilbert Robinson, owned a popular bowling alley and saloon called Diamond Alleys.
Legend says that one day, managers at the bowling alley started a game using small balls and refurbished pins that McGraw and Robinson reportedly said flew like a “flock of flying ducks” — and duckpin bowling was born. It quickly gained popularity in Baltimore before spreading throughout the eastern U.S. Today, the National Duckpin Bowling Congress governs the competitive sport from Linthicum, Md., a suburb of Baltimore.
The lanes at RecRoom will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, said Robinson. Bowlers pay $40 for 30 minutes or $60 for one hour on a lane. This summer, 30-minute sessions are buy-one, get one free during happy hour every day from open to 8 p.m.
Robinson said lanes can accommodate four to six bowlers. The space can also be rented for private parties.
She describes RecRoom as a space for everyone. “The Florida Southern kids love coming in,” she said. “And we love them, but we also, during the earlier hours, we get a lot of families.”
“We’ve got games to play, and especially if you’re downtown after the farmers market or you’ve gone to dinner with your kids, it’s a great place to come and play some games without having to get back in your car and drive somewhere else.”
A grant from the CRA
After Lkld Live closed at the end of 2021, the space had great potential, but it was still very unfinished, Robinson said.
“We went through a couple of different iterations where we tried to figure out what was best to do with it. We’ve thrown fake dance parties over here. We have done private events. We’ve tried to do themes, all sorts of stuff,” she said. “But what we really wanted to do was something that could be a more permanent fixture and that really took advantage of the huge amount of space.”
The renovations and bowling lanes are part of a larger project that includes expanding and revamping an outdoor area that was previously a parking lot.
A garage door was replaced with large glass doors that open onto the new outdoor space, nearly doubling RecRoom’s patio. Robinson said they will be adding planters and greenery to make the area more inviting and comfortable. Artist A.Kat will return to extend the existing mural.
Owners estimate adding the bowling lanes, expanding into the adjoining space, and additional improvements will cost $330,416 when completed.
To help cover costs, the Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) awarded RecRoom $47,984 in incentives through the Infill Adaptive Reuse Program, designed to help businesses and property owners in CRA districts with interior improvement and business expansion projects. The program provides a matching grant that reimburses up to 50% of costs for specific permanent improvements.
For RecRoom, $95,969 worth of work — the new glass doors, emergency lights, electrical, plumbing, flooring, and bathroom renovations — was eligible.
The project was awarded the grant because RecRoom is a good downtown asset, said Shelley Guiseppi, CRA project manager.
“They’re adding fun things for people to come and do and see,” she said. “It’s a place for people to come and enjoy being downtown … That’s always important to the CRA to help to have placemaking.”
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