Largest European Bowling Center Opens Doors In Munich, Germany

Less than six months after the groundbreaking ceremony hundreds of invited guests came out to witness the historic opening of what is now considered to be the largest bowling center in Europe, the Dream-Bowl Palace in Munich (Unterföhring), Germany. This state-of-the-art facility, which spans over three floors and a total of approximately 8,000 square meters, features 52 continuous and fully Brunswick-equipped lanes, including an eight-lane boutique area that can be closed off with a movable wall.

All bowling lanes are located on the first floor and incorporate the most modern of Brunswick’s equipment, including Vector® Plus scoring and management system, GS-X™ pinsetters, Frameworx® and Striking Line® furniture and Pro Lane™ synthetic lanes. Also on the first floor, visitors will find a bar and bistro as well as a lounge area. The orient-themed bowling center features a restaurant, conference rooms and billiards tables on the second floor, which also offers a great view over all bowling lanes. An indoor mini-golf course and a bowling pro shop can be found on the third level. An air conditioning and humidity control system offers consistent bowling conditions and provides comfort for all visitors. Visitors to the bowling center can park in the 220-vehicle garage, and enter the venue through an impressive glass front spanning over all three levels.

During his opening ceremony speech, the Dream-Bowl Palace owner and managing director, Werner Knöbl, reiterated his desire to help promote the sport of bowling in Germany and all of Europe and citing this reason as one of the driving forces behind this €18-million project. He also confirmed that the center will host the 2010 Men’s World Championships in bowling as well as several other high-profile events in the coming years. Media representatives, local politicians, bowling officials and other dignitaries in attendance then saw Knöbl throw the first ball to officially open the lanes. After a round of show-bowling, headlined by Brunswick European Pro Staff player David Canady, all guests were able to test the new lanes as bowling continued well into the night. Later, it was confirmed that all 52 lanes were booked for the first night of open bowling.

The project was carried out by the official Brunswick Capital Equipment distributor in Germany “Hoops the Bowling Company”. Owner Jan-Oliver Hoops was happy to see the center go up in record time. “The timing was very tight, but the hard work of the last months has really paid off. The Dream-Bowl Palace introduces a new approach to the German market as it combines bowling with other family entertainment as well as with business facilities. It’s exciting to be part of such an innovative facility,” said Hoops. Brunswick Bowling Products President, Brent Perrier, has been monitoring the project’s development closely, and is also thrilled to see it completed. “Brunswick Bowling Products is honored and proud to have completed Dream-Bowl Palace with Hoops. We are thrilled to be an integral part of providing a top-of-the-line entertainment facility to the people of Germany.”

With the opening of the Dream-Bowl Palace, Brunswick now has the largest European center as well as the world’s largest bowling center in its portfolio. Guinness World Records™ has recently confirmed the Inazawa Grand Bowl in Japan as the world’s largest bowling center, with 116 consecutive lanes.