K&M Bowling and Family Fun Center in Pittsfield has added a mini-golf course with a pirate theme. The course opened on Saturday and will run through the fall.
The Mathes family brought bowling back to Pittsfield two years and has now added the mini-golf course.
"It means a great deal for all of us, without a doubt," said Mark Mathes.
"A lot of our employees have put in a lot of hard work to help us get here and continue running our business. We have a lot of family members that have helped out, so we're very grateful for that."
Putting the "Arrr" in miniature golf, the course features nautical motifs and skeletons, and can be accessed from the right side of the building. Ice cream and soda are available for purchase as well.
"Hopefully they complement each other," Joey Mathes said about attractions.
"In the winter you can come and enjoy the cosmic bowling, have a couple of drinks, just have some fun, we've got the arcade inside, and then during the summer when the weather's nice, you come out here, hit a couple holes, and have some ice cream and just enjoy all the seasons."
Mayor Peter Marchetti said one of the fun parts about his position is attending ribbon cuttings. Marchetti is a big part of the youth bowling league, and the owners said they have known him for a long time through his love for the sport.
"Let's take it in perspective. Two and a half years ago, I was here cutting a ribbon as we opened K&M Bowl. They didn't stop there," he said.
"They continued to work to create secondary business, again, that will benefit the community, and I know, just because I happen to bowl here all the time, the long road that this took."
Kari Mathes explained that this has been a work in progress, as the design work began last year and involved the Conservation Commission, some city planning, and the work of White Engineering to help prepare the land and ensure the wetland is kept safe.
"While also bringing something wonderful for the community that we're all excited about," she said.
K&M is currently open from 4 pto 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Around the time that school breaks for summer in June, it will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Mini golf costs $9.37 for adults paying with a credit card and $8.33 for children under 13 years old. Cash discounts are offered.
"We would like to be open April through November-ish, depending on weather, of course. Obviously, this year it's been delayed, and we actually wanted it open a month ago, but because of all the rain we've had, it really pushed us back," Joey Mathes explained about the course.
"We're looking at six to seven months a year opening. As soon as the snow is gone and it's dried up, we plan on opening, and we will stay open until we have to close."
Mark Mathes added that this is not the finished product, as "we have more things to do, it has just been weather permitting."
When the family purchased the bowling alley, they equipped it with state-of-the-art technology, including cosmic bowling (special illumination and music), and automatic scoring systems. Prior to the sale, it had operated as Imperial Bowl for more than 60 years.
The owners report that the bowling alley is doing well.
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