The ball is rolling right down the middle at the Memorial Union Recreation Center with the renovation of the bowling lanes.

Crews began the process to improve the Union bowling lanes Monday. The project includes adding new, synthetic bowling lanes, seating, floor coverings and computerized scoring, said Kathy Svec, marketing coordinator for the Memorial Union.

“Students deserve a more state-of-the-art facility,” she said.

New black-light sensitive carpet, pins and lanes will make everything glow, creating a fun atmosphere for bowlers, Svec said.

The casual bowler also will enjoy the computerized scoring system, which will eliminate the need to figure scores by hand, she said.

The billiards tables also have been renovated, Svec said, replacing the typical green felt with new, colored felt. People can pick a table with a color to fit their mood, Svec said.

The $120,000 renovation project was funded in part with student government money, said Government of the Student Body President Andy Tofilon. GSB sets aside money every year for future MU renovations, he said.

“The bowling alley receives a lot of use from students,” Tofilon said. “But it’s pretty bad.”

David Carnes, vice president of the Union, said it was high time the lanes were refurbished.

“It’s never been renovated before,” said Carnes, senior in elementary education. “We’ve had a lot of requests.”

The walls and floor of the recreation center are marked for touch-ups in the future, he said.

Doug Swanson, manager of the Union recreation center, said bowling classes still will have access to the lanes while the improvements are underway. Bowling lanes will be replaced one by one, allowing students to play while other lanes are worked on, he said.

Bowling classes usually begin using the lanes the second week of the semester, Swanson said.”We hope to be able to do that for them still,” he said.

Svec said the changes are slated to be completed by Sept. 14.

A celebration will feature discounted rates for bowling and a free chili supper from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Sept. 23.

During the renovations, lanes may be temporarily unavailable. To find out if the bowling lanes are available call (515) 294-1233.