Police Chief O'Leary Set to Observe Bowling Facility

With bowling proposed as a possible addition to Patriot Place in the past, police chief Ed O’Leary is preparing to see how other large bowling facilities operate.

At the request of the Kraft Group, O’Leary will travel to Orlando, FL on a date to be named later to observe the operation of Splitsville Lane, a chain of large bowling alleys with five locations in Florida, Virginia, and Texas.

The selectmen approved the trip 5-0 at their Sept. 17 meeting.

“This could potentially have a significant impact on your operations so I think it’s beneficial to observe and bring back information to the board so we can make an assessment on how this could fit into the town,” selectman John Grey said.

O’Leary told the selectmen that he would like to be able to talk to the management of the facility in an effort to bring back any information that would be helpful to the board.

Called a unique operation by O'Leary, Splitsville features a function hall and entertainment beyond bowling. He added that he has been led to believe it is significant different operation than Kings in Dedham and other bowling alleys in the area.

Room, meals, and transportation for the observation will be paid for by the Kraft Group. In the past, O'Leary has attended NFL training sessions in Florida with the Kraft Group and the NFL picking up the costs of meals, hotel, and flights.

O’Leary did obtain a disclosure form from the Massachusetts Ethics Commission stating the trip serves a legitimate public purpose and is not for a direct personal benefit.