Antioch bowling alley struggles to clean up after storm damage

Bowling and banquets are on hold until September at Antioch Bowling Lanes, as cleanup and repair crews dig in a week after high winds ripped off portions of the roof.

The facility, which includes 28 bowling lanes and a 250-seat banquet hall, is undergoing major repairs caused by wind and water damage from the June 19 storm.

"The only thing we have left is the bar," said Sue Hall was, who has worked at the bowling alley for 33 years. "I called the insurance company right away and thought, I don't even want to see this."

Hall was did not know the total damage estimate, but said it includes new synthetic bowling lanes that cost the business $200,000 and are now buckling from the water. She said she expects the business to be up and running again by September. Joe Sterbenz, who has owned the alley since 1968, had not seen the damages as of Friday.

Cleanup crews working along side repair crews have completely gutted the attached Tower Room banquet hall, which suffered significant water damage from rain that poured through the battered the roof.

"Between the architects, engineers and electricians, it's just too much," Hall was said.

The damage has forced numerous weddings and banquets that were scheduled for the hall during the summer to find new venues.

"People are scrambling to find places to have them," Hall was said, adding a wedding had been scheduled in the hall for Saturday.

An indoor miniature golf course that was built this year also had to be torn out because of water damage.

The National Weather Service suggested the damage was most likely caused by straight-line winds, which shot out from a column of sinking air. This type of event often causes damage similar to a tornado.

"We are always saddened to see any damage comes to one of our business members," said Barbara Porch of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.

Hall was said she thinks insurance will cover all the storm-related repair costs, but is unsure if the new synthetic lanes were covered.

Damage: The only thing we have left is the bar, says one employee