Crews demolish former bowling alley near Kentucky Expo Center

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A longtime bowling alley near the fairgrounds in Louisville was torn down Tuesday.

The Executive Strike & Spare Family Fun Center has sat outside Gate 1 of the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center for decades on Phillips Lane.

The bowling alley closed late last year after the Expo Center decided to not renew the lease.

The building is being razed for flexible parking and additional event space for the Expo Center, according to our partners at Louisville Business First. A spokesperson said Kentucky Venues estimates about 600 parking spots will be added in the space.

The property further expands the center's capacity to host large-scale experiences, according to Kentucky Venues—which owns the Expo Center.

Upcoming events include the Kentucky State Fair, Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life.

Gravel and pavement will be poured to make way for events coming this summer. Officials said the process should take 30 days. Work is expected to be finished by July 31, the first day of the annual Street Rod Nationals in Louisville that runs through Aug. 3.

The work is the latest step in the Expo Center's ongoing $180 million improvement project.

LBF reports Strike & Spare opened a new bowling center in the former Dick's Sporting Goods location on South Hurstbourne Parkway for about $4 million. Strike and Spare Family Entertainment also owns Ten Pin Strike & Spare Family Fun Center in St. Matthews, as well as the Clarksville Strike & Spare Family Fun Center in Clarksville, Indiana.

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