When Rick Wessels wanted to retire a few years ago, he reluctantly decided to sell his business, South Park Bowling Lanes. However, there were not a lot of serious offers. Bowling alleys are expensive to maintain. Equipment must be upgraded as the technology moves forward. Upgrading the old equipment turned out to be cost prohibitive for potential buyers. Once a popular recreation resource the South Park Bowling alley has been closed for over four years.
The building caught the attention of Trevor and Joanna Kapsch. They had been looking for a facility to house a dream project. After careful consideration, the Kapschs purchased South Park Lanes early in 2024.
The dream project is a fitness center to be named Alley Fitness and Recovery in commemoration the original function of the 10,000 square foot structure at 510 National Street.
Trevor’s lifestyle reflects his personal philosophy. Fitness is essential to physical, emotional, and mental good health and that good fitness is dependent on a place to train, to learn, and be successful in a clean, safe environment at an affordable cost. Trevor’s dream has been to build a fitness facility, that will be inclusive for people for all ages and physical capabilities.
In keeping with the times and trends, Alley Fitness and Recovery will be fully automated and open 24 hours a day. The building has plenty of space and there will be discrete areas for group fitness, strength training, a turf training area for sports training, room for hot yoga, and potentially opportunities for personal trainers.
Alley Fitness and Recovery will emphasis treatment for recovery from previous sports related injuries or other conditions with a cold-water plunge and a sauna.
Other amenities will be available that are characteristic of newer sophisticated fitness centers. Brand new equipment for weight, strength, agility training, and conditioning will be available. Alley Fitness and Recovery will be clean, well-lit, with security cameras.
The Kapschs designed the facility themselves. They plan to turn convert the old bowling alley to a safe, well-lit, and always clean place to work out.
Although the prices haven’t been officially determined the monthly membership will be around $40 per month. There was enough space to lease space in the entry to National Food Franchise, providing yet another perc for gym patrons.
Converting the bowling alley has been labor intensive and expensive. But it has been gratifying too. Typically bowling alleys have sloped ceilings. Removing the false ceiling revealed a magnificent tongue and groove ceiling with 42” beams and no ceiling insulation. The Kapschs hope to leave a portion of the beams exposed so at least some of the detail can be visible. Unfortunately, the ceiling will need insulation require covering most of the beamed ceiling.
Removing the original bowling lanes was especially arduous work for Trevor and his team of family volunteers. Beneath the lanes were three layers of support. First 1x runners ran perpendicular to the lanes. The next layer consisted of 2x10s placed upright and parallel to the lanes. The final layer also fastened perpendicular to the lanes was a layer of 2x4s. The framework under the lanes was “built to last” Trevor commented smiling at the understatement.
Trevor Kapsch is a graduate of Belle Fourche high school, although not particularly involved in athletics in high school, he has been passionate about fitness. After high school Trevor attended Wyoming Technical Institute where he studied auto mechanics and business.
After tech school he went to work in the oil fields for 14 years where he rose in the ranks quickly, Despite the oil field drawbacks, intensive labor, noise, and dirt, Trevor loved the job. He explained that the opportunity to work independently and to have solitude on long drives back and forth to home.
At the time, Trevor and Joanna, who is originally from Spearfish, were living in Colorado. They had a one-year-old son Treyson. It seemed like a good time to switch gears and return to Belle Fourche. Treyson is now 6 and enjoys helping his dad with the renovation.
Since their years in Colorado the Kapschs have remained regular fitness patrons. Fitness is a way of life for them as are the friendships they have sustained throughout the years of meeting and working with others who are also passionate about fitness. They look forward to meeting and greeting their new patrons.
Despite the hard work, the Kapscha are clearly committed to the project and enjoy seeing the progress. They are grateful for former owner Rick Wessels’ positive support and interest in the renovation. Meanwhile, information and news about Alley Fitness and Recovery will be available on their Facebook page.
The gutted interior of the bowling alley building. Note the magnificent ceiling beams.
An old pinsetter machine being hauled away.
Trevor Kapsha and son, Treyson dismantle the bowling alley floor.
The gutted interior of bowling alley. Note the magnificent ceiling beams and the large open space.
