Pike Lanes Bowling Ally is something likely familiar to many Pike County natives — not anymore.

Pike Lanes will be returning to Troy next month, but its name is about all that will be the same for the new entertainment facility.

Under new ownership, with upgraded equipment and a different atmosphere, Pike Lanes will open its doors to the public Feb. 5 in Troy.

“It will be a smoke-free, family-oriented bowling ally,” said Scott Oertel, owner.

Oertel has pondered opening a new bowling ally in Troy since last summer.

“I called about it in the summer,” he said.

What led to his final decision, he can’t quite pin down.

“I think I saw the ‘for rent’ sign on the front of the building,” Oertel said.

And, since last Thursday, the new owner Oertel has been busy at work preparing for the facility’s grand opening.

There will still be eight lanes at the bowling ally, but Oertel said they have been upgraded.

“We will be replacing a lot of equipment in there, but we won’t do it all at once,” he said.

“We will do it overtime.”

In addition to a bowling ally, the facility will also have two rooms that can be rented for parties or even large receptions.

“It’s sort of turning into a multi-purpose facility and not just a bowling ally,” Oertel said.

“It’s just a totally different atmosphere.”

The bowling ally will also have pizza and vending machines for refreshments, and Oertel said eventually, he will expand that menu.

“This is something Troy needs,” said Scott Hendricks, realtor for Pike Lanes.

The opening will be Friday, Feb. 5 at noon in the old Pike Lanes location on U.S. Highway 231. The phone number will stay the same at 566-4441.