‘Without a centre we have nowhere to compete, we have nowhere to train’: Future of pro bowling unclear as Planet Tenpin announces closure

The future of professional bowling in Darwin is unclear after popular alley Planet Tenpin announces date of closure.

Planet Tenpin in Nightcliff is closing down. The building will be demolished and a new childcare centre will be built in its place. Picture: Che Chorley

• Planet Tenpin closing down after lack of funds for new $2.5m alley

BELOVED Nightcliff bowling alley Planet Tenpin will close its doors for the final time on May 3 after more than four decades in operation.

The announcement comes after the building’s owners decided to redevelop the site and business owner Bruno Maglieri said he had been unable to secure enough funding to relocate.

“We have been successful in finding a new location, securing a lease and creating plans for what would be an awesome bowling alley beyond the Berrimah Line,” he said.

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“However, the $2.5m project has a $1.2m shortfall and we have not secured a finance deal.

“Therefore, with development going ahead and no future for us in this location, we were left with the extremely hard business decision of when to close the business.”

The closure of Darwin’s only bowling alley accredited for competition will come just 24 hours after the final day of competition in the 2021 NT Bowling Association Championships.

NTBA president Janine Matheson said the future of the sport in Darwin was now unclear, with future tournaments pencilled in to be held in Alice Springs.

“At this point without a centre we have nowhere to compete, we have nowhere to train,” she said.

Planet Tenpin in Nightcliff is closing down. Owner Bruno Maglieri laments the closure. Picture: Che Chorley

“It doesn’t mean it’s the end because we don’t know what the future’s going to hold, whether the proprietors will be able to find the funding they need, whether the proprietors will be able to find investors.

“But for the sport, the doors close on Monday the 3rd of May and that’s it for us in Darwin.”

Ms Matheson said the association had about 40 members with disabilities who would now miss out on training and competitions, along with other Top End champions.

“Tenpin bowling in the NT punches above its weight on the national stage, we really do, we’re small in number but boy we pack a punch,” she said.

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“(But) it’s not just about that elite level of competition, it’s about all of our members and all of our people participating in the sport.”

Ms Matheson said Darwin’s only other bowling alley, in Milner, was unsuitable for the association’s members due to clashes with its recreational bowling customers.

In March a development application, lodged by Auspac NT, proposed to build a childcare centre for 100 children, community centre, restaurant, medical clinic and offices at the Planet Tenpin site.

The company declined to comment when contacted by the NT News on Sunday but it is understood no firm dates are in place for when construction is due to begin on the project.

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Originally published as ‘Without a centre we have nowhere to compete, we have nowhere to train’: Future of pro bowling unclear as Planet Tenpin announces closure