New face, modern renovations for Panther Lanes

Kenny Holle was raised a bowler. He grew up in the bowling alley his grandmother owned in Leon, where he learned and perfected his skills. After moving to Creston, Holle participated in bowling leagues throughout his youth, until he decided to make a major change in his life and join the Army after high school.

After his time serving, Holle worked in car and insurance sales in Naples, Fla., and Des Moines.

Then Holle heard Panther Lanes needed new management.

“About a year ago, we had several bowlers in the area ask if I would be interested in coming down and managing it,” Holle said. “And I asked, ‘what does this have to do with me?’”

A Creston native, Holle grew up in a house across the street from Panther Lanes. During his youth, he worked at the alley, keeping score for the leagues where he met a number of friends and fellow bowlers who would later ask him to return to town.

“At 6 p.m. we would have all 12 lanes full, at 9 p.m. we (still) had 12 lanes full,” Holle said. “Now they have trouble filling up one shift.”

Holle’s bowling resumé is filled with experience. In the bowling business for 20 years, Holle has played on the regional and pro tour and worked at a pro shop in Des Moines. Holle said bowling has always been in his blood.

His mother, Sandy Kilkenny, who still lives in Creston, is an active member of league bowling in town.

“I came down and subbed for my mom one night on league, and sure enough there were signs, “no kids allowed” or that they had to be sat next to you at all times,” Holle said. “To me, the kids are the future, they will be the adults later on. I thought it was a big problem.”

Holle was also displeased to see the unused lanes closed during league play, the pro shop was no longer open, the arcade was out of use, and the Creston High School bowling team was practicing and hosting meets in Atlantic rather than at Panther Lanes.

“I don’t know all of the details about why the team was kicked out,” Holle said. “But I had been thinking about buying the place and when I heard that, that was the deal breaker.”

After sitting down with the owners, Holle came to an agreement and purchased Panther Lanes.

Changes

“We want to build a place where they want to come to and to create a fun atmosphere,” Holle said.

Panther Lanes will undergo three phases. Phase one, currently under way, includes replacement of bowling pins, painting, renovation of the bar, reopening the arcade, pro shop revitalization, a new lane machine and new monitors.

Phase two, the three-year plan, includes replacing the gutters, automatic bumpers and possibly new ball returns.

Phase three, the five-year plan, includes knocking out the left wall to make Panther Lanes a 16 lane center. According to Holle, this would allow the alley to host bigger tournaments, which would bring business to more than just Panther Lanes for that weekend. Another piece of the phase includes replacing the current, worn out wood.

“We’re trying to make it a lot cleaner and a lot newer,” Holle said. “A friendly face that is family oriented.”

A major goal for the renovation, is modernization. Updated technology for Panther Lanes includes new flat-screen monitors connected with new consoles featuring animation, graphics and the speed of the ball. The front desk will receive new software, as well, that will keep track of inventory and allow the owners to assist players with score corrections, games bowled and technical difficulties.

Holle is also in the process of adding a pro shop where customers can buy bowling balls, have new holes drilled and bowling balls cleaned. Holle, USBC Bronze certified, plans on offering lessons. According to Holle, his certification is equivalent to that of a college coach. The proposed pro shop will debut June 27.

“We’re going to focus on building it up, getting more people in here and promoting it,” Holle said. “We’re doing the ‘Field of Dreams’ motto, ‘If you build it they will come.’”

Family

According to Holle, an aspiration for his new business is to be family-friendly. However, incorporating customer's families is not just a goal for Panther Lanes, but also in how Holle renovated. Throughout the process of preparing the bowling alley, his family has been present. His wife, five children, sister, brother-in-law and nephew have all helped.

"It's something he's always talked about," said Holle's wife of 10 years Heather. "I really wanted this for him, it was just a matter of getting all of the right pieces together in order for it to happen."

One aspect of the project that has been positive is the small town, rural aspect of Creston. Both Holle and Heather agreed that the community support and interaction has been incredible.

“The community support has overwhelmed me,” Heather said. “In an area as large as Ankeny you know who your neighbor is, but you don’t really know them.”

Summer leagues have started and fall leagues and charity events are in the works for later this year. Holle also plans on extending his staff beyond just family this fall.