Images: The Alley Entertainment Centre
After sitting closed for almost a year, Port Pirie’s bowling alley is preparing for a fresh start, with The Alley Entertainment Centre set to open in mid-November following a top-to-bottom renovation.
Behind the project are husband-and-wife team Mark and Kerryn Duncan, who already operate a successful venue under The Alley brand in Devonport, Tasmania. Now they’re bringing the same concept to regional South Australia, believing communities outside the major cities deserve access to high-quality entertainment too.
“We feel that entertainment options in regional communities are often forgotten and left off the planning. So when we heard that the bowling alley in Port Pirie had shut down, we thought it was a good opportunity for us to bring that back,” Kerryn told Glam Adelaide.
The site has been home to tenpin bowling for more than 40 years, but after years without significant upgrades, the new owners say it was time for a complete overhaul.
Work is already underway, with the ageing bowling machinery removed and the venue stripped back to its bare bones ahead of an extensive refurbishment.
“We’re basically gutting the place,” said Kerryn. “Not much has been done to it in quite a few years, so we’re giving it a fresh paint job, new flooring, and just bringing it up into the 21st century, so it’s a bit more modern and inviting.”
One of the biggest investments is the installation of Brunswick Boost ST Pinsetters, new-generation bowling technology approved by both the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), promising faster, smoother and more reliable games.
To find the latest attractions, Mark and Kerryn recently travelled to the 2026 International Bowl Expo in Nashville, where they tested new games and entertainment concepts that will become part of the Port Pirie venue.
While tenpin bowling will remain at the heart of the business, visitors can also expect a new arcade, a private karaoke room and hot food when the doors open.
The owners already have plans for future additions, including a beer garden, escape rooms and other entertainment experiences once the venue is established.
For Kerryn, creating spaces where families can spend quality time together is one of the driving forces behind the project.
“It’s important that there are things for people to do,” said Kerryn. “People will go out and about, they’ll go to the local beach or the local pool. But it’s also important to have some indoor opportunities for those times when the weather isn’t so great, or just something different to bring people together.”
The couple purchased the business after successfully revitalising their Devonport venue, which they took over in 2022 before relaunching as The Alley in 2025. With Port Pirie home to around 17,000 people, they believe regional communities are crying out for more experiences that bring people together.
“Our focus is Port Pirie right now, and making sure we get it right,” Kerryn said. “We’ve had such a positive response from the community already, and we can’t wait to open the doors.”
Construction is expected to continue over the coming months, before a planned opening in mid-November 2026. For now, you can follow the venue’s progress through The Alley’s social media pages as the countdown to opening continues.
The Alley Entertainment Centre
Where: 71B Esmond Rd, Port Pirie South, SA, Australia, 5540
When: Coming soon, expected to open this November
For more information, click here.
