Rose Bowl in Tulsa is sold

Rose Bowl, circa 2001

KOTV Channel 6 in Tulsa reports that the scorched-and-shuttered Rose Bowl on Route 66 has been sold to businessman Steve Baker.

Baker says he hasn’t figured out what to do with the former bowling alley, which suffered at least two arsons. One thing it can’t be is a bowling alley again because of a non-compete clause with former owner AMF.

Not to worry, says Baker, it’s still solid as a rock and he says he can probably find a use for it. “It’s a great landmark here on Route 66. It’s a great architectural piece of work. We’re really not considering knocking it down. We really think it’s too nice a building to knock down at this point.”

The architecturally unique Rose Bowl, which opened in 1962, closed last year.

9 thoughts on “Rose Bowl in Tulsa is sold

  1. Steve, Correct me if I am wrong. I think that you stoped Mickey Sparks form burning the Rose Bowl the first time.
    No body has been convicted for the second burning as far as I know.
    I think that they were leaning to Mickey again.
    His dad was the owner a long time ago as far as I have been told.
    He took over the Rose Bowl after his Dad retired, or sold it to his son.
    Mickey Sparks,Jr. developed a new bowling alley called Mickey’s in 2003.(I think this is the right year.)
    He didn’t like all of his new bowlers going back to the Rose Bowl.
    I am not sure who is responsible as far as the non-complete form to the AMF, but it could have been Mickey Sparks, Jr.
    I do know that it can’t be a bowling alley again at the close date for five years.
    I loved that Bowling Alley, it was a lot of fun.
    It did have some problems, but so does every Alley.
    They should have promoted more tounaments, and tried to promote youth bowling.
    This neighborhood could use some help.
    I know that the building is burned out real bad and all the equipment is out including the lanes, but it would still be a great to bowl.
    Thank to the AMF it is not Pink anymore.
    They just wanted to get out of the debt of hiring management, then firing them, and hiring some more.
    The AMF just wanted to support other bowling alleys that were newer.
    Sorry, I have filled your mail with kind of my opinions.
    Good luck in selling the building, and I hope that you will live up to your word that you will not have it torn down!!!!

  2. Amy, sorry for such the long wait for a responce. They have my name wrong in this article. My name is Sam Baker.
    No, the Rose Bowl won’t be a bowling alley any longer but my partner Chris Whinery and I have big plans for the Rose Bowl as an event center. With some luck we should be able to open sometime in July, 2007. The outside has been painted back to a close pink of the original.
    We hope to have private partys, concerts, dances, car shows, motorcycle rallys, auctions, gun show, home shows and more. We have had much support from the Route 66 travelers that stop almost everyday to give us their words of encourgeagement.
    So far the City of Tulsa has been suportive and we are moving ahead.
    By the way, the Rose Bowl was not burned that badly. She is a concrete building and it does burn well.
    Also, the Rose Bowl has a secret that not many people know, there is a place on the property that a whisper can be heard for 150′. Think about it

  3. HELLO MY NAME IS ASHLEY AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I HATE TO HEAR THAT THE PLACE IS CLOSED. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THAT PLACE AS FAR AS I CAN REMEMBER STAYING IN THE DAYCARE PLACE BECAUSE WE WERE TOO SMALL TO BOWL AND WE FINALLY WERE ABLE TO PLAY AND HAVE BEEN EVER SINCE WELL IT HAS BEEN ABOUT FIVE3 YEARS SINCE WE HAVE BEEN WE WAS PLANNING TO GO UP THERE AND PLAY AGAIN WITH THE FAMILY WELL I HATE TO HEAR IT IT WAS A REALLY FUN PLACE TO GO I HOPE THE FUTURE FOR THIS PLACE BRINGS ALOT OF BUSINESS

  4. guttermouth, gbh, the krum bums, whole wheat bread, awkward sex, and the rippers will all be there!

    hell yeah!

  5. HI-

    I am actually glad to hear it will be an events center. I am an event planner. IN FACT, I am looking (NOW) for old bolwing lane (scoredesk, chairs, ballracks, shoes to rent for an upcoming event this Sept (1st wekk in Sept.) Can anyone advise??HELP??—232-1994 KIM

  6. Thanks for making this the best concert place to go, plenty of space and seats.

    Guttermouth was fun.

    Going to see GBH and Awkward Sex!.

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