The difference between wooden and synthetic bowling lanes would not be obvious to a regular bowler, but to those paying the bills, the difference is critical.

SIU Bowling & Billiards opened in 1961 but in 2007, synthetic lanes replaced the wooden ones. This switch has made for a better surface that needs less maintenance.

Bill Null, bowling and billiards recreation manager, said wooden lanes required sanding and recoating every other year.

“The synthetic lanes eliminate a lot of maintenance and saves money,” he said. “Every two years we were spending $26,000 to maintain the wooden lanes.”

Null said the new lanes were needed after the wooden lanes could not be sanded anymore because the nails in the lanes were showing.

SIU Bowling & Billiards is now using American Machine and Foundry synthetic lanes, which cost about $120,000 to install, he said. Although it may seem like a lot of money, Null said the lanes are paying for themselves, reducing costs for maintenance and producing fewer pollutants.

The synthetic lanes do not require resurfacing and sanding, but still require maintenance. Null said the lanes are cleaned and oiled by machine daily.

“They’ve held up pretty good,” he said. “A bowling alley gets pounded on, especially in a college. The wooden lanes used to have dents and divots in them. These lanes don’t have that problem.”

Null said synthetic surfacing has helped the appearance of the bowling alley. The wooden lanes would become scratched and dented shortly after a resurfacing but the synthetic lanes do not, he said.

The machines are run mechanically, using a combination of gears, springs and pulleys, Null said.

“There’s about 3,000 parts,” Paul Deering, the equipment service supervisor, said. “A lot of people see them go up and down and sweep pins and think they’re toys, but they’re heavy, industrial pieces like you would see in a factory.”

SIU Bowling & Billiards made a breakthrough adaptation when they installed new lanes, he said.

Deering said electricians ran wires to each machine, which allows for single-lane shut down, which is uncommon.

“In the past, if a kid were to run out onto one of the lanes, they would have to all be shut down,” he said. “Now, we have it set up where one lane can be shut down at a time.”

The bowling alley has 21 student workers who help with everything from shoe rental to mechanical problems.

Deering said he has had aviation technicians help with mechanical issues in the past.

“I would have them come in at night and we would strip down an assembly, repaint it and rebuild it,” he said.

Null said SIU Bowling & Billiards is the best he has ever seen it.

“In my 25 years here, I’ve always wanted this place to be as good as it could be,” he said. “When I first got here, it was a mess. I think we’re finally there.”

Brent Meske can be reached at [email protected],on Twitter @brentmeskeDEor at 536-3311 ext. 254.