Bowling is coming back to Ballymena! Work starts next week on new family entertainment centre, creating 15 jobs

Friday 29 October 2026

Construction is set to begin next week on Ballymena’s long-awaited new bowling alley, with IMC Cinema confirming a £1.5 million investment, approximately 15 new jobs and plans to open the expanded family entertainment complex in spring 2027.

The exciting development will bring ten-pin bowling back to the town for the first time in more than a decade, with a new 10-lane facility, family amusement arcade, and casual food and drink offering all planned for the cinema complex at St Patrick’s Link.

IMC owner Andrew Morrison has confirmed to Love Ballymena that the project is now ready to move into its construction phase, marking a major milestone for a development that has already attracted considerable local interest.

All seven existing cinema screens will remain in operation at this stage, with the bowling alley being added through an extension and alterations to the existing foyer.

The cinema will also remain open throughout the building work, allowing customers to continue enjoying films while the new facilities take shape.

Construction marks major milestone

The announcement follows Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s approval of plans for a bowling alley and amusement centre at IMC Ballymena in August 2025.

While the original proposals included 12 bowling lanes and a reduction in the number of cinema screens, Mr Morrison has now confirmed that the development will feature 10 lanes while retaining all seven screens.

The revised layout means the new entertainment facilities will complement the existing cinema rather than reduce its screening capacity.

Construction is expected to begin during the first week of November, with the expanded complex scheduled to welcome its first customers in spring 2027.

Approximately 15 new full-time and part-time positions are anticipated as part of the investment, providing further employment opportunities in the town.

More than just a cinema

IMC Cinema, Ballymena

The new complex is designed to bring several family entertainment options together under one roof, combining the existing seven-screen cinema with ten-pin bowling, arcade amusements and casual dining.

Customers will be able to enjoy a food and beverage offering alongside their bowling and cinema visits, while further details of the additional family activities will be confirmed as the project progresses.

The development marks the latest investment in the local entertainment complex.

Explaining the thinking behind the project, IMC owner Andrew Morrison told Love Ballymena:

“The cinema industry is ever changing and following our latest addition of our Luxx screen we now want to add 10 pin bowling to make IMC Ballymena not just a cinema but a family entertainment centre destination.”

Bringing bowling back to Ballymena

The start of construction will be particularly welcome news for local families who have waited more than a decade for a dedicated bowling facility to return to Ballymena.

The town’s former Sportsbowl closed in 2014, leaving a gap in the local leisure offering and prompting many families and groups to travel elsewhere for ten-pin bowling.

The new facility will provide a local option for family outings, birthday celebrations, evenings with friends and group activities, alongside the cinema’s established film programme.

For Mr Morrison, the investment is also about creating a place where local families can spend quality time together.

“IMC Cinema has been a locally owned family business for nearly 30 years. As a family man myself I understand the importance of quality time with my family and I am excited to be able to offer a destination for the local families of Ballymena to enjoy spending time together.”

Countdown to spring 2027

With construction now imminent, attention turns to the transformation of the existing cinema into a wider family entertainment destination.

The £1.5 million investment is expected to bring new employment opportunities, broaden Ballymena’s leisure offering and encourage families to spend more of their leisure time in the town.

Further information about the additional activities, facilities and recruitment opportunities is expected as work progresses.

For Ballymena, the beginning of construction represents a significant step towards the return of ten-pin bowling after a 12-year absence, with the new entertainment centre now targeting a spring 2027 opening.