Bowling Tournament Attracts Cops, Firefighters

More than 150 police and firefighters from 20 countries around the globe descended on Pinz Bowling Center in Studio City Aug. 9 to 11 to take part in the World Police & Fire Games bowling tournament, one of 65 athletic events held throughout the Los Angeles area. “Pinz entertainment center turned into a world-class sporting venue,” General Manager Scott Frager said. “I’m very proud of the team and the center and how it all performed.” The bowling destination, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, was chosen to host the tournament because of its size, staff and state-of-the-art technology, Frager said. The alley offers 32 lanes, high-tech pin-setting equipment and a full-service restaurant. “Originally (the Games) wanted to keep all the venues downtown for transportation reasons, but they decided that the need to find the appropriate facility outweighed the need to be all together,” Frager explained. Between 200 and 300 spectators came out to witness the three-day event, including supporters, members of the media and local officers. Some Pinz regulars were unaware that the tournament was taking place and were initially confused by the sight of so many emergency personnel, Frager said, though their confusion quickly turned into excitement. “It was a unique opportunity to educate the community, and a great bonding session as well,” he said. The firefighter contingency from Walt Disney Co. was especially popular with young bowlers, Frager added.   Between games on Aug. 10, Councilman Paul Krekorian honored Pinz’s legacy in a special ceremony. He was one of two special guests to hand out medals to winning athletes, as well – the other being the Malaysian ambassador to the U.S. North Hollywood officers Capt. Donald Graham and Capt. Aaron Ponce also took to the stage to hand out awards. “I think it was very meaningful for our athletes to have L.A. firefighters and police officers represented in the ceremony,” Frager said. “To have them not just competing but providing the awards was special.” Gold’s in Glendale After more than a decade of eyeing the Jewel City, Gold’s Gym SoCal Group in Northridge has announced plans to open its first Glendale location. “We’d been looking at Glendale for over 15 years,” Chief Operating Officer Will Banos, who runs the franchise group with his brother Angel, said. “Then the opportunity came up to work with a great landlord, Rick Caruso, and his team.” The new Gold’s is located in the Glendale Galleria above Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. store. Though it does not officially open until January, customers who purchase discount “ambassador” memberships receive access to an on-site preview center, where they can meet with certified trainers to get a head start on their fitness goals. In addition to exercise equipment and locker rooms, the Glendale Gold’s will include a sauna and studios for group classes. During the last 12 months, Gold’s Gym SoCal has been stepping up its specialty fitness offerings in response to the growing popularity of “boutique” exercise classes, Banos said. “‘Gold’s Studio’ is really our answer to all the studios popping up around us,” he explained. “It’s something we’ve been focusing on in the last 12 months.” The fitness business has changed quite a bit since the Banos brothers opened their first Gold’s location in North Hollywood 30 years ago. Membership has gone from being male-dominated to roughly even between women and men, according to Banos. His gyms now offer not only exercise equipment and trainers but also towel service and child care, and many feature pools and jacuzzis as well. “We’re a full-service health club,” Banos said. The total number of gym memberships in the U.S. has risen steadily over the last 10 years, with roughly 57 million Americans belonging to membership-based exercise facility in 2016, according to research group Statista. However, franchises like Gold’s are facing increasing competition from specialty studios such as SoulCycle, Pure Barre and CrossFit, which last year made up roughly 35 percent of the $26 billion fitness industry, a report from the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association said. “Hopefully those people who are paying $150 to go to a studio will see that they can come to us at a fraction of the cost,” Banos said. “Our members need a premium health club at affordable prices.” Staff Reporter Helen Floersh can be reached at (818) 316-3121 or [email protected].