Despite severe weather in the area, the North Platte City Council meeting went on as planned Tuesday evening.

The agenda item that was on everyone’s mind was, of course, the project to renovate the former Cedar Bowl and how much funding, if any, the City Council would award the project from the city’s Quality Growth Fund.

Local businessmen, Lonnie Parsons and Gary Suhr, have plans to transform the Cedar Bowl into a high-quality family entertainment center, including a family-friendly restaurant.  The business closed its doors in May after nearly 36 years in business.

The facility is in need of major repairs and renovation, to the tune of nearly $3 million.  Suhr and Parsons’ ability to go through with the purchase of the building hinged on their ability to receive assistance from the QGF.

After receiving a recommendation that was lower than they had hoped for from the Quality Growth Fund Citizen Review Committee, they were hopeful that the Council would come through.

According to Parsons, after some negotiations, the Council approved a $100,000 grant and a $350,000 low-interest loan, with a 7-1 vote.  Councilman Jim Carman voted against the proposal.

Councilman Andrew Lee said said he felt the agreement was fair, and prevented the leakage of tax dollars to other cities, such as Kearney.

“The loan helps protect the risk, and it was the risk of betting on them,” Lee said.

There is no word yet on when renovations will get underway, but, as the Save Bowling in North Platte Facebook page says, “we’ll all be having a ball at the (former) Cedar Bowl soon.”