Shopping for an answer

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