Bowling
Brunswick Brings Bowling Back to Misericordia
Favorite Pastime Here to Stay with New State-of-the-Art Lanes
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (March 15, 2007) – The Misericordia Heart of Mercy Center will put smiles on the faces of its residents and enhance their recreational opportunities when bowling returns this month to the North Side Chicago facility, which cares for 550 children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Bowling was a favorite pastime for many Misericordia residents until a year ago when the facility's three old bowling lanes in the campus' activity center became unusable. Estimates to refurbish the lanes were $15,000, which left the facility directors discouraged. That's when employees from Brunswick Bowling & Billiards – Retail Division stepped in, offering to partner with Strike Market, a business equipment installation company, to donate and install all new lanes and equipment.
“The old lanes were deteriorating and needed major repairs,” said Kevin Connelly, business officer of Misericordia. “This is a tremendous gift from Brunswick and Strike Market and we are so grateful. Now that we have new lanes, our residents will be able to bowl with their family and friends. Some residents have even made plans to start a league!”
“When we were approached by Misericordia, we were not only touched by their situation, but also wanted to make sure the job is done right,” explained Bill Mongeau, director of service operations, Brunswick Bowling & Billiards – Retail Division. “The retail value of what Brunswick Bowling and Strike Market are doing far exceeds the bids to just refurbish the lanes. But it is worth that and more just to see and hear the excitement of the residents of Misericordia during the rebuild. It shows just how much bowling is missed at the residence,” said Mongeau. “Bowling is an activity people of all ages and abilities can enjoy, and we're honored to provide this service and bring fun back to Misericordia.”
The project will take approximately two weeks to complete and residents can expect to be bowling by mid-March. The Brunswick rebuild team will replace the lanes and approaches, as well as completely refurbish the Brunswick A-2 pinsetters on all three lanes.
About Brunswick
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation has been a leader in the recreation
business for more than 160 years. Founded in 1845 to make billiards tables, Brunswick Corporation
is a Fortune 500 company and the leader in bringing Genuine Ingenuity™ to everything it makes.
Brunswick Bowling & Billiards is one of the largest operators of full-service bowling and family
recreation centers in North America; is a full-line supplier of bowling equipment, supplies and
consumer products, and designs billiards tables and accessories. For more information, visit www.bowlbrunswick.com.
For more information, contact:
Mary Pettersen or Katie Hasse
Cushman/Amberg Communications
312-263-2500 or mpettersen@cushmanamberg.com
