Adel Family Fun Center reopens doors after fire

The ribbon was cut on Friday, March 3 to help celebrate the grand reopening of the Adel Family Fun Center after the doors were closed for almost three months following a fire.

“I just want to thank everyone for coming today,” Owner Bryce Smith said after the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce sponsored ribbon cutting. “We're excited to be back open, we’re excited to welcome the community back in, our league bowlers, birthday parties, you name it.”

The 65-year-old bowling alley reopened on March 3 after a fire caused extensive smoke damage on Dec. 12.

Smith said the fire originated from a furnace in an office/utility area behind the kitchen. A food delivery driver saw the smoke outside the front doors early in the morning on Dec. 12 and called 911.

“The Adel Police Department and Adel Fire Department did a wonderful job responding diligently and quickly to make sure that everything was extinguished,” Smith said.

While no one was hurt, he said the fire caused smoke damage throughout the building. Smith added that his insurance company was quick to respond.

“For all of this happening so suddenly in our busiest time of the year — December, January and February are our busiest months — it was nice to have a team wanting to get us back open as soon as possible,” he said.

The cleanup process then got underway and electrical and HVAC components were replaced along with carpet, ceiling tiles and kitchen equipment. While the process sometimes felt like it was taking forever, Smith said it seems crazy that it was only three months ago.

Adel Chamber members, city representatives, area bowlers and staff members were on hand March 3 for the grand reopening ribbon cutting ceremony.

“After three months of being closed, the chamber of commerce is glad to see you back open,” Thomas Book said.

“We’re here to say congratulations on the grand reopening,” said Shirley McAdon, representing the city of Adel. “We’re so glad that Bryce and Kale have spent all the time that it took to refurbish and make this another wonderful, welcoming place in Adel.”

Smith said after the ribbon cutting that he appreciated all of the support from the community. As soon as they posted about the fire on Facebook, community members and league bowlers sent messages asking how they could help.

“It’s just been entirely heartwarming,” Smith said of the support from fellow businesses, the chamber, city, fire and police departments as well as area residents.

“It’s just really nice to be a part of a community that cherishes our neighbors and the things that we have because without that, we wouldn’t be here after 65 years of this bowling alley being in business. Something like this could push people away but it’s actually pulling people together and back into the building.”

Smith is looking forward to getting back to normal now that the doors are open once again at the Adel Family Fun Center.

“It’s been a wild few years, five years ago we celebrated our 60th birthday. We’ve made it through COVID, we’ve made it through a smaller remodel, we’ve made it through a lot,” he said. “And we’re excited to keep moving forward and we plan to be here for many, many more years to come.”

This article originally appeared on Dallas County News: Adel Family Fun Center reopens its doors