Spare Time lanes will be reused but not as a bowling alley
Spare Time won’t reopen as a bowling alley, but you can play on the lanes again in about a month.
The former bowling alley’s lanes have been taken out and will be used as a skating rink a few miles away, at the High Caliber Karting & Entertainment complex inside the Meridian Mall. It will take up the space formerly used by throw bowling and across from the axe throwing.
The rink will be built from the old bowling alley floor.
“It’s a pretty special way to preserve a small piece of local history while creating a completely new experience for the next generation,” said Cheyenne Townsley, marketing events manager for High Caliber.
There’s a lot of excitement about the skating rink, she said.
The rink is expected to open in November.
The building closed in April 2025 following a fire that spread from a storage trailer and has been closed since. Townsley said she does not know what will happen with the building. Her company has brought the wood lanes, and some of the lighting, from Spare Time for their new skating rink.
The former bowling alley recently changed its outside disclaimer from ‘temporarily closed’ to ‘permanently closed,’ and High Caliber officials announced Monday their plans for the new skating rink.
High Caliber President Julissa Munsters, who grew up skating at Skateland, said in a statement that the company is excited to bring the nostalgia of roller skating to the former bowling alley.
“Wood that once carried bowling balls … will now carry skaters into a new chapter, giving a place that held years of community memories a second life.”
Roller skating will be added to the High Caliber lineup, which includes go-kart racing, drift karting, arcade games, axe throwing, pocket soccer, battlefield activities and rage rooms, alongside food, drinks and large group event experiences.
The new skating rink is expected to open before the holiday season to catch family outings, birthday patries, reunions with friends or company celebrations.
The rink is scheduled to open in November 2026 at High Caliber Karting & Entertainment, 1982 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos.
The official opening date, skating hours and pricing will be announced as the launch approaches.
