Omaha Exploration

Located at 25th and Bancroft Streets, the Immaculate Conception bowling alley was just one of 27 located in Omaha at its peak. Combined they provided bowlers with more than 500 lanes to a city that was once referred to as the capital of bowling. The sport was so popular that all three television stations aired weekly bowling shows. Omaha even got a primetime spot on NBC when the Civic Auditorium host the national all-star professional tournament in 1960.

Bowling was so popular in the 1950s and 60s that Immaculate Conception Church decided to get in on the bowling action by opening an alley of its own. Some of Omaha’s best bowled at the ICC Bowlatorium. As the popularity began to wane and bowling venues shut down, ICC kept its open despite some questioning whether it was worth the cost to maintain especially after it abandoned league play around 2010.

Today, ICC is the only parish bowling alley in Omaha and just one of few nationally. It is available for rent for special events including wedding receptions, birthdays, banquets, funeral luncheons, corporate luncheons and fundraisers. The 10-lane bowling alley and party room accommodates 160 guests. They offer an assortment of mixed drinks, beer, soda and snacks.

The 70-year-old retro bowling alley was renovated in 2016. They reinstalled some of the original equipment that had been in storage in recent years including the avocado green ball returns. Plastic chairs were replaced with curved wooden benches. The walls were even painted to match the original color with the same avocado green and cream.

Despite the changes, it still has the original bar, brown tile floor and even some of the original bowling balls from the 1950s. The goal of the parish was to have the alley become self-sustaining and while I’m not sure whether it has reached that goal, it continues to thrive while supporting not only the parish and its parishioners who get to play for free on the first Sunday of each month but also the community.

I’d love to hear what you have to say so please feel free to comment. Until next time, keep exploring!

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