By Alecia Burningham
It is the only place on campus where students can take off their shoes, relax, listen to fun music, and see people smile when they hear someone yell, 'strike.'
The BYU Games Center, located at 1171 WSC, is the place to go for bowling in Provo, said patron Geralee McArthur of South Jordan. She was down in Provo with her kids one afternoon and decided to go to the Games Center because of its child-friendly atmosphere.
'It is clean, non-smoky and it caters to kids by having small shoes and light balls,' McArthur said.
Though families may fill the Games Center on Monday and Tuesday evenings, students are the usual weekend patrons.
'Friday night is when the college students come in, but overall the number of students and families is pretty balanced,' said Jacqie Cassidy, a junior from South Jordan who has worked at the Games Center since July.
Andrea Bailey, 19, a junior majoring in fitness and wellness, from Salt Lake City, goes to the Games Center about once a week to play pool and 'get the tension out.'
'I love being able to play pool on campus because most of the other places that have pool are either bars or clubs and I don''t enjoy the atmosphere,' she said. 'I don''t have a car either so it is nice to have someplace so close.'
The Games Center offers bowling, table tennis, billiards, video games, foosball, skee ball and air hockey. BYU students can also take either a beginning or intermediate bowling class, PE 116 or 117, for only $35.
Tuesday night is moonlight bowling, where at random times throughout the night the lights are turned out and the first person to get a strike, wins a free game, said Cassidy. Also, anyone who is in the student directory automatically wins a free game each semester, Monday-Thursday before 6 p.m.
The Games Center also sponsors bowling leagues, which are new this semester since there has not been enough interest in the past.
Students can bowl three games for only $6, including shoes, Monday - Friday before 6 p.m. Otherwise, students with a BYU ID can bowl for $2.15 per game before 6 p.m. and $2.45 afterwards, plus $1.20 for shoes.
Billiard and table tennis rates are $1.50 per hour, per person before 6 p.m. and $2.15 per hour, per person after 6 p.m.
The Games Center is open Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 11 p.m, Friday 10 a.m. - midnight and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and during Devotionals and Forums.
Reservations are available for large groups before 6 p.m. or the entire Games Center can be rented for parties or Family Home Evening activities.