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K&M Bowling Opens Mini-Golf Course in Pittsfield

The Mathes family and Mayor Peter Marchetti cut the ribbon on the new mini-golf course on Saturday. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's only bowling alley now has the city's only miniature golf.

K&M Bowling and Family Fun Center cut the ribbon on an 18-hole pirate-themed course on Saturday.  The Mathes family opened the Dalton Avenue business two years ago in the former Imperial Bowl.

"It means a great deal for all of us, without a doubt," said Mark Mathes. 

"A lot of our employees have put in a lot of hard work to help us get here and continue running our business. We have a lot of family members that have helped out, so we're very grateful for that."

Putting the "Arrr" in miniature golf, the course features nautical motifs and skeletons, and can be accessed from the right side of the building. Ice cream and soda are available for purchase as well.

"Hopefully they complement each other," Joey Mathes said about attractions.

"In the winter you can come and enjoy the cosmic bowling, have a couple of drinks, just have some fun, we've got the arcade inside, and then during the summer when the weather's nice, you come out here, hit a couple holes, and have some ice cream and just enjoy all the seasons."

Mayor Peter Marchetti said one of the fun parts about his position is attending ribbon cuttings. Marchetti is a big part of the youth bowling league, and the owners said they have known him for a long time through his love for the sport.

"Let's take it in perspective. Two and a half years ago, I was here cutting a ribbon as we opened K&M Bowl. They didn't stop there," he said.

Mini golf costs $9.37 for adults paying with a credit card and $8.33 for children under 13 years old. Cash discounts are offered.

"We would like to be open April through November-ish, depending on weather, of course. Obviously, this year it's been delayed, and we actually wanted it open a month ago, but because of all the rain we've had, it really pushed us back," Joey Mathes explained about the course.

"We're looking at six to seven months a year opening. As soon as the snow is gone and it's dried up, we plan on opening, and we will stay open until we have to close."

Mark Mathes added that this is not the finished product, as "we have more things to do, it has just been weather permitting."

When the family purchased the bowling alley, they equipped it with state-of-the-art technology, including cosmic bowling (special illumination and music), and automatic scoring systems. Prior to the sale, it had operated as Imperial Bowl for more than 60 years.

The owners report that the bowling alley is doing well.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.