Dodgem cars, bowling alleys, and bars in Alexandria
By Christopher Harris.
A Development Application has surprised residents of the changing urban landscape of Alexandria.
It’s not another new restaurant, but is rather a haunted house with an attached leisure center- which would include a bowling alley, dodgem cars, laser tag skirmish, a ropes and tyres course as well as amusement machines.
National Bowling and Recreation Centres Limited, who have lodged the application, hope for the centre to have development consent for 80 people.
The conversion of a warehouse, which is currently vacant, is projected to cost around $1.1 million dollars.
National Bowling and Recreation Centres Limited is a new company whose Managing Director, Roy Menachemson has extensive experience in the leisure industry. A company website describes him as having “held senior executive management positions within the bowling Industry over the past 35 years.”
He is regarded as an expert in bowling centre operations and as a respected leader within the Industry,” the website reads.
Australian Bureau of statistics data shows that there has been a small but steady increase in the amount of children in the Alexandria- Erskineville area over a four-year period since 2007.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that there is an increasing presence of families living in the densely populated area.
Clare Bartram, a local who lives in the suburb, has doubts about the suitability of the development for the also large population of young urban professionals like herself.
“I don’t agree with the decision to put in a bowling alley in Alexandria. In my experience I think bowling alleys are tacky, especially with a Haunted House, and offer poor quality facilities,” she said.
“Most of the activities they are proposing to include (laser tag, dodgem cars) are often pretty expensive and something I wouldn’t do regularly. I think the space could be better used for other facilities, such as a cinema, restaurant or wine bar.”
The DA is on exhibition at the City of Sydney until the 25th of this month.
