Clever Ways Centers Are Getting More From Their Investments This month, the IBI team highlights Ravalli Fun Center in Hamilton, MT
CREATIVITY ON THE BIG SCREEN
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et's hear it for the operators who are not afraid to break the mold or think beyond the pins. Ravalli Fun Center in Hamilton, MT, is doing just that by turning its investment in a next-gen bowling entertainment platform into a new crowdpleaser. What was designed as a bowling entertainment system, QubicaAMF's Neoverse is now doubling as the ultimate smalltown cinema, and the results are winning over guests who might never have come in otherwise.
"There is no longer a movie theater in our town, and people have to drive an hour away, so I wanted to provide this type of entertainment to our community," said Knut Hoelstad, the owner of Ravalli Fun Center. "Neoverse felt like the perfect way to do that."
FROM DOWNTIME TO A NEW REVENUE STREAM
The concept is simple but brilliant. The center shows familyfriendly films on Saturdays during a midday time slot before they open the doors for bowling. Monday evenings are reserved for adult favorites and date nights. These dayparts are typically slow for the center, so the team saw an opportunity to bring more of the community through the doors. It proved ideal for generating new revenue, expanding their local presence, and building stronger connections with area residents. Looking ahead, they plan to open additional movie time slots during the usual summer slowdown and pair them with their Kids Bowl Free program. "There are restrictions that come with certain types of licensing. We can not charge admission or advertise it on public social media platforms, among other things," Hoelstad explained. "So, we created a private Facebook group and found alternative ways to share details and gather feedback from the community on what films they would like to see." Admission is free, making it an easy draw for families and community members. Seating is capped at 60; guests can reserve 30 IBI June 2025
in advance or try their luck with walk-in availability. While there is no bowling during the show, food and beverages are still flowing strong, creating significant revenue even when the lanes go quiet.
"It's been absolutely amazing for us," Hoelstad said. "We put 60 people in the center during our slowest times and have increased our food and beverage tenfold. As you walk through the center, you can see there's food on every table." "We also encourage kids to bring their pillows and blankets and lay on the approach or the floor," Hoelstad added. "It's become this cozy, family-friendly experience." Hoelstad's Neoverse system is installed across all 12 lanes. It displays movies in full color and motion and delivers theaterlevel sound courtesy of speakers salvaged from a local shuttered movie theater. It has been so successful that Ravalli Fun Center has sacrificed an hour of open play to keep the programming going. Movie nights are just the beginning. The Ravalli crew also uses Neoverse to pump up their atmosphere with eye-catching visuals, music, and shoutouts to local sponsors. It’s a great reminder that systems like this are flexible tools that can boost creativity, bring in extra revenue, and keep guests engaged from the moment they walk in.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Ravalli Fun Center is setting the bar for operators who want to squeeze every drop of value from their investments. By pushing the boundaries of what a bowling or family entertainment center can be, they have managed to attract a wider audience, create engagement in their town, and show that thinking beyond the lane can pay off in spades. Here is to the innovators who turn good ideas into great experiences—and keep their centers the most exciting places in town, no matter what is playing on the screen.
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