Peter and Jeanette_ Bundy Bowl and Leisure Centre
Bundy Bowl started in the carpark of the Sugarland Shopping Town in 1979. It was around this time that Peter would be employed as a pin boy, whose job it was to keep the 12 bowling machines clean and running smoothly. Over the years he would be promoted to head mechanic of the bowling machines and then later on to general manager of the entire centre. Also, during this time Peter would meet his wife Jeanette. During the mid-1980’s Peter and Jeanette along with business partners Noel and Joan Ambler would buy Bundy Bowl and run it together as Pete and Noels Bundy Bowl, relocating in 1996 to their current location where Peter and Jeanette still own and run what is now the Bundy Bowl and Leisure Centre. Which has grown to be one of the leading family entertainment centres in Australia. The centre is open 7 days and has 16 bowling alleys as well as various activities including arcade games, dodgem cars, laser tag, putt-putt golf, escape rooms and virtual reality experiences, just to name a few. There is also a café and a function room for events.
The events of Covid19 dramatically impacted the bowling centre, they were one of the first industries to experience lock downs, with full closure starting at the end of March and continuing for 77 days. It was a very sad day for Peter, Jeanette and all the employees as there was no longer any work and with no income coming in. Peter was taken by surprise by the changes and stated: “Very sad day, we couldn’t believe that we had to close ... There just seemed to be nothing in sight … we met with everyone and said ‘look we can’t pay you; we’ve got no income coming in, just stand down and we’ll just see how it goes’. So, it was very sad saying goodbye to everybody”. Jeanette added that it was “a very crazy, uncertain time for us”. The customers also felt disheartened and saddened by the centre having to close, for many of them, bowling is a very important social activity.
Fortunately, with the implementation of the job keeper payment, Peter and Jeanette were able to bring several of their employees back. The time was spent renovating and refurbishing the centre so that it would be even better when the public returned. Jeanette stated: “We decided to use that time to do the renovations that we never had the opportunity to do … So that was a once in a lifetime opportunity but with a double edge sword because we were spending money and we didn’t know when we going to reopen and get income flowing again”. Both Jeanette and Peter explained that it was a good time for the staff to work and spend time together, explaining that it turned out to be a good team building experience. However, they also found the uncertainty and lack of income one of the hardest parts of this time
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Happily, all the hard work put in by the whole team at the centre paid off and when they were able to open again, the public was very excited to come back and once again have fun at Bundy Bowl and Leisure Centre. Despite having to balance several Covid19 social restriction plans the business is doing well and has been able to begin recovery after the pandemic.
As a way of lifting local spirit, Jeanette and Peter decided to do a Facebook competition at Easter time where they gave away 12 Easter egg baskets. They then delivered these personally, with Peter donning a pink Easter bunny outfit, Jeanette stated: “It was just a donation of kindness to the community to celebrate Easter … people got a real kick out of it”.
Peter also told me about Glenn Stevenson from Staging Solutions who donated his time by transporting and donating equipment for the centres refurbishing, Peter said: “So that was really good, a nice thing of one business helping another”.
Peter and Jeanette would like everyone to know that they tried to make the best of that time, that Bundaberg has once again shown a real resiliency and they would like to thank all their staff, their customers, and the Bundaberg region for its support.
I want to say a big thank you to Peter and Jeanette for sharing their story with me, and make sure to keep an eye on the Bundy Bowl and Leisure Centre as they have some exciting changes coming up soon.
Bundy Bowl and Leisure Centre, 17 Lester Street Bundaberg QLD 4670
Ph: (07) 4152 4334