Los Banos center bowls a strike to gain final approval

Merced County is about to have a second bowling alley, with a developer saying he’s received the final permit needed to open a 10-lane bowling center with an arcade and laser tag in Los Banos.

Frank Liao said his Aqua Entertainment Center will have about 50 arcade games and private party rooms on par with a Chuck E. Cheese’s, filling a need for an entertainment venue in the area.

A resident of Los Banos for about two years, Liao, 37, said he’s investing about $2.5 million into renovating the building at 923 W. Pacheco Blvd., which has been empty since Los Banos Cinemas closed several years ago.

The 25,000-square-foot space could be finished as early as March. Liao said he’s been working on the project for about a year and has cleared all of the permitting hurdles, which culminated Wednesday when the City Council approved his permit to sell beer.

Looking through the windows of the building, it’s clear the construction is underway. “We’re building it from the ground up,” said Jason Serang, the center’s marketing manager.

Los Banos has long been a commuter town with many residents driving to the “other side of the hill” on Pacheco Pass to Bay Area jobs. People living in town often complain there is little for young people and families to do in Los Banos.

Serang, 24, said it’s that complaint and the eagerness to find entertainment locally that gives him confidence the center will be successful. He wears a collared shirt marked with the Aqua logo, so he gets asked about the bowling alley often.

“Every day we get at least five inquiries about when we’re going to open,” he said.

Councilman Scott Silveira said his family is eager to have fun at the center. “I’ve got little ones at home, and we’re looking forward to something else to do in Los Banos,” he said.

Bowling aficionados have had only Bellevue Bowl in Atwater as an option in Merced County for many years. The Westside is set to have its own option when Aqua opens its doors.

Liao said Los Banos residents have waited long enough. “We’re coming now,” he said.

For more information about Aqua, go to www.aquafuncenter.com.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 2:05 PM with the headline "Los Banos center bowls a strike to gain final approval."