A bowling-themed entertainment complex is poised to roll into downtown's Hamilton City Centre.

Thunder Alley will cover about 40,000 square feet of the lower level of the former Eaton Centre, long considered a key piece in downtown revitalization.

Prospective bowling kingpin Martin Dorie said the $3.5-million project will include 20 "cosmic" 10-pin lanes, two bars, a video arcade, a roadhouse-style restaurant and a stage for live music.

"I think it will be a big deal for the downtown. I went looking there first," said Dorie, who previously worked as a general manager at the popular Splitsville Entertainment bowling complex on the Mountain.

"I think there's demand here (in the core) for more family-style entertainment options."

Dorie said he'd like to be ready to roll by early summer, but that depends on a minor variance application to allow his venture on the lower level.

City bylaws specify recreation uses at that location must be at ground level, facing the street.

Ward Councillor Jason Farr said he'll speak in support of the project at committee of adjustment if necessary.

"I think this would just be such a fabulous use for the space," he said. "We're trying to attract more people, more families, to live, work and play in the core. This is a unique sort of attraction, but it fits."

Dorie said part of the complex will be aimed at families, but there will also be meeting rooms and a "VIP section" for corporate parties that includes a separate bar and "video centre."

Bowlers without kids will have access to a bar and a place to play, too.

If it goes ahead, the development should be a good score for the downtown economy, said urban renewal manager Glen Norton, who noted the success of similar businesses on the Mountain.

"This is a unique addition to the downtown and for the City Centre, which has had to reinvent itself," Norton said of the 450,000-square-foot mall.

The centre suffered from chronic vacancy problems and unpaid taxes in the years after iconic retailer Eaton's went bankrupt in 2000.

Vacancy was thought to be around 25 per cent in 2011 when the building was purchased by a Barrie-area developer for about $25 million.

Norton pointed out the historically retail-dependent mall now also boasts call centres, brokerages and hundreds of municipal workers using about 90,000 square feet of office space.

"This is another example of new energy and life coming to an important downtown landmark."

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City Centre general manager Ana Cacilhas said she couldn't comment on the vacancy rate or incoming tenant in time for The Spectator's deadline.

The mall's Facebook page, however, celebrates the looming redevelopment of the lower level as "Hamilton's newest state of the art family entertainment centre and corporate party zone."

The entire mall was assessed at about $19 million last year and paid almost $540,000 in taxes.