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It seems to me that the Segerstroms just want to sell that land.
Costa Mesa does not need another department store. We need some
places for recreation. A reader complained that Kona Lanes is run
down. I am sure that if the owners had some security about the future
of that site and assurances that the bowling alley can remain, they
would invest some money into refurbishing the facility and make Kona
Lanes what it once was.
Kona Lanes needs to be saved. Costa Mesa badly needs places for
recreation, especially for teenagers and young adults. I hope and
pray that Mayor Karen Robinson’s appeal works. If the Segerstroms are
bent on selling the property, perhaps the city of Costa Mesa can take
over. This is probably impossible in the present economy, but the
city purchased the farm for soccer fields, so I am sure that
something could be done. Perhaps the Segerstroms could lease it to
the city for recreation purposes. Maybe a skate park could take the
place of the theaters, something like the successful skate facility
at the Block at Orange.
MELISSA LIPPAND
Costa Mesa
For those who want a bowling alley the most, get your bowling team
together and purchase Kona Lanes yourselves, and then go into the
bowling alley business. If we residents are entitled to bowling,
perhaps you could make it free to bowl, as well.
Believe me, if there were a robust market to support a bowling
alley (and ice rink for that matter) the parking lots would be full,
and these places would be making money for their owners.
Also, for those writing in to support keeping Kona Lanes, please
report how much money you’ve spent there in the last three months.
CHRIS KERINS
Costa Mesa
I’m in agreement with Cindy Brenneman’s statement in the Daily
Pilot today about needing “something more family oriented” (“Kohl’s
bowls a strike with commission,” Wednesday). Soon there will be
nothing to do in Costa Mesa except to shop. Why do we need another
store?
Ideally, I would like the ice rink and bowling alley to be updated
with state-of-the-art facilities. These were great venues, creating
fond memories for my kids as they were growing up. With one still at
home, I wish there was another activity-oriented facility available
there now. I think kids deserve a local place to go and have fun.
As a patron of that center, doing grocery shopping, banking, etc.,
I believe a big department store would make the parking situation and
traffic even worse. (This was not the case when the ice rink, bowling
alley and theaters were in use.)
I hope our city leaders will be insightful enough to provide our
community with enriching opportunities.
DEBBIE DEMELLO
College Park
Please be advised that Kona Lanes is a very important activity for
our youth in Orange County. It is affordable and offers young people
a place to meet with friends, enjoy a sport and be in a safe
environment.
Please keep me informed what happens.
CAROL SMITH
Newport Beach
Right now, Kona Lanes is an eyesore. It’s a place for kids to hang
that have no where else to go because there is no one watching those
parts of the place. And gee, wouldn’t it be nice to have a center for
our kids where they could play and that is an ideal location, located
between so many schools: Estancia, Costa Mesa High, TeWinkle, Ray,
Wilson and California. It is just such an ideal location for kids. It
is too bad the planners aren’t thinking of the kids.
Still Kohl’s is far, far better than the empty vacant buildings
waiting for vandals and people to hang without supervision. It is a
second choice, but it is a better choice than what is there now. It
is unfortunate that we can’t find a way to pool our energies and not
have to drive to Irvine, Laguna Hills and Huntington Beach for a
child-centered location.
DIANE JONES
Mesa Verde
My personal feeling is that we need a decent recreational facility
in our neighborhood for the young people and Kona Lanes should be
reestablished.
Also, it is too bad that we cannot have a park or some other
opportunity for other people to have some pleasure in that area.
GWEN ORTIC
Costa Mesa
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