| Campana’s Old Bay-Vu Theatre in Bremerton’s Manette neighborhood has become a popular public bowling and banquet spot since new owner Chris Campana bought the building in 2003. Originally built in 1942 as a theatre and later converted to a bowling alley, it was transformed into an art deco theme of the 40s and took “a step back in time.”
The banquet idea has proved popular, Campana says, pointing out that last December the hall was booked solid. Accommodating parties from 20 to 300 people and costing as little as $12.50 per person, the banquets include catering of just about any cuisine (from pizza to prime rib) and come complete with 10 lanes of bowling, pool tables, and other recreational activities. A martini bar is also available upstairs.
The public bowling nights have been a magnet as well. “People really like the place,” said Campana, who also owns Campana’s Italian restaurant in Poulsbo. “The neighborhood in Manette has expanded hugely and families are looking for something to do.”
But that’s about to change. Campana decided to turn the site into a condominium complex. He says his purchase of the building was always intended as a real estate investment. “Who would have thought you’d build a bowling alley on the waterfront?” he said.
Originally, he envisioned a multi-use building. “As time rolled on, the party idea evolved and has done well…but the other opportunity came along and we decided to go along with the idea,” he said.
The “other opportunity” includes using the property he owns across the street for parking to build another condominium project. The area was recently rezoned, allowing for a building as tall as seven stories. Campana has partnered up with Drury Construction of Poulsbo and started making plans. The design of both buildings is in preliminary stages.
“The existing building has a lot of character, we’d love to save as much of that as we can,” Drury Construction part-owner Rick Cadwell said. Cadwell will know in about two months how much of the old theater can be utilized, but said they hope to save all of it. About 20 to 30 residential condominiums are planned. “I think they are going to lean toward upscale but we’ll determine that later,” Campana said.
Across the street, the building will have mixed use and include some possible retail/office space on the first level, and likely condominium office space above. Cadwell said there is increased demand for condo offices, and the idea is attractive to many businesses because they can own instead of leasing the space. The original intention is to sell office space floor by floor, and each owner can then lease the extra space. Cadwell anticipates the offices to range from 5,000 to 15,000 square feet.
Cadwell is also co-owner of Pacific Heights, which is completing a condominium project in Manette called East 16th Complex. He says there is great demand for condos, especially for young professionals and retirees. “Bremerton in general is hot now and the Manette area in particular,” he said.
East 16th will have 22 units. The complex, being converted from apartments, has two buildings. The condos will range from studio flats to two-bedroom, and cost around $100,000 to $300,000. “We are trying to create affordable waterfront living,” Cadwell said.
Campana hopes to kick-off the condo project in May or June. In the meantime, he will keep the bowling alley open but is only renting space about two months out.
“This area is really taking off, from Manette all the way to the medical center,” he said. | 
