The owners of Harmar's Funfest Entertainment Center are trying to put some new life into the business by completing a $3 million expansion during the next year.
“We wanted to move our center into more of an entertainment center and less of a bowling alley,” said Alex Guntrum, general manager.
Guntrum said the facility at 2525 Freeport Road started out as a bowling alley in the 1980s, and over the years, has added a game room, indoor mini-golf and other group entertainment.
The owners, McKnight Development Corp., want to take the fun even further.
“We're looking at go-carts, (outdoor) mini-golf and a zip line or rope course,” Guntrum said. “Along with the thought that league bowling is dying out, we wanted to move bowling into that next phase, which is really a social atmosphere.”
Guntrum said the plan is in the design phase with Cincinnati-based Bruce D. Robinson Design Group, which was hired to draft the master plans. Those plans are expected to be completed in six to eight weeks.
Bruce Robinson said he is happy to be working in the Pittsburgh area again, having helped design some aspects of Kennywood's last remodel.
“It's a time when traditional bowling is advancing to a whole new level and that's the fun part,” Robinson said.
He said the design firm has worked on all types of projects, from large theme parks to smaller venues similar to Funfest.
“We've had that range of experiences on our plate, so combining them in new ways is exciting,” Robinson said. “It's designed to take what Funfest has started and push it into the future.”
Robinson is working to make Funfest more contemporary while taking it into a higher-end market that's still fun.
“There's a lot of existing assets there but some challenges, and we'd like to turn those into opportunities,” he said.
Guntrum said the project is projected to cost about $3 million. He couldn't say whether the owners would seek funding from the township or where the funds would come from.
In preparation for the changes, a vacant building at 2501 Freeport Road, next to Funfest, has been torn down to make more room.
It most recently was Franco's Italian restaurant; previously it had been a Mexican restaurant and originally was an Eat'n Park. Guntrum said the property has always belonged to Funfest, but the owners rented the building to other businesses over the years.
Guntrum said that parking lot area is where the go-carts and zip line would be.
“We believe that the area needs that,” he said. “It kind of lacks outdoor venue like that.”
Guntrum said the facility wants to create a more upscale and social bowling experience with updated lanes, a remodeled bar, couches and a corporate meeting room.
“The goal for the VIP area is more to go for that corporate meeting, sales meeting and Christmas party,” he said. “It would appeal to a large number of corporate events.”
Guntrum said the remodel would bring an additional 40 to 50 jobs to the area.
“Overall, right now, we run with pretty much 40 total staff,” he said. “And by the time were done with this we'll be at 80 to 90 (total staff).”
Guntrum hopes to have the VIP area and game room completed and the outside project in its first phase by the end of the year.
“We have a lot of things on the table,” he said. “Now we're going to fit the pieces together and do it.”
Emily Balser is staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-7710 or ebalser@tribweb.com.
