Vicksburg could see its first bowling alley in 10 years with the expected opening of a new 16-lane bowling alley sometime after Easter.

“We plan to have a soft opening (first),” said Patrick Belden, operations manager for Fun Lanes, which is located in the Vicksburg Mall. “I’m having some private parties and then we’ll be open to the public and then we’ll do the grand opening once we get all the bugs worked out.”

Belden said the bowling alley, which is located in the former Goody’s clothing store in the mall, will have electronic scoring, specialty lighting and video games. There will also be a restaurant serving pizza, hamburgers — “a full menu plus alcohol,” Belden said.

He said the early response he has received about the project has been positive.

“It’s been a big project; everybody feels good about it. They’re just happy and excited for it to come.”

Belden said the area high school bowling teams got their first look at Fun Lanes Wednesday and Thursday.

“They came and did their tryouts,” he said. “We let them come out and let them do some special bowling just for their trials. They were excited.”

Belden said he is still waiting for his final permits and for the delivery of restaurant equipment and more video games. He said, however, the bowling equipment is in and in place.

“We’re ready to bowl,” he said.

The city has been without a bowling alley since Red Carpet Lanes, which operated on Clay Street near Hope Street for 48 years, closed in 2007 because of structural problems with the building and a lack of bowlers.