FLB Entertainment Center, the longtime bowling alley and sports bar in Folsom, is gearing up for a major transformation that would bring a supersized arcade, an outdoor stage for live shows and a revamped kitchen. The plan reimagines parts of the complex as a family-forward entertainment zone, complete with covered patios, interactive games and a dedicated children's play area. If the city signs off, it would mark one of the biggest upgrades the property has seen in decades.
According to What Now, FLB has submitted an application to the city to expand and modernize its 88,862-square-foot footprint. In planning documents, the team says the goal is to “revitalize an aging recreational facility and transform it into a vibrant, family-oriented entertainment destination that better serves the community.” Drawings by Sutton & Associates Inc. show the arcade shifted to the northeast side of the building and significantly enlarged.
The center already blends bowling lanes, arcade games and event space with a sports bar that underwent a remodel in 2022 and now touts roughly 20 beers on tap, pool tables and wall-to-wall TVs, per the FLB Entertainment Center website. The Dreher family bought the building in 1979, and their children now handle day-to-day operations as the second generation at the helm. Over the years, the business has regularly rolled out fundraisers and community nights, turning it into a go-to gathering spot in downtown Folsom.
What the plans would add
Project documents carve out a sizable outdoor recreation zone along the eastern edge of the property, featuring a covered patio, bar and dining area tucked under that cover, interactive games and a playground for kids. An elevated stage shown in the plans would host live performances and community events, while interior changes would clear space for a relocated, larger arcade. Sutton & Associates Inc. is listed as the project designer in the application, according to What Now.
A family-owned staple
Wally and Sue Dreher purchased the building in 1979, and their children now operate the center, a history the owners highlight on the FLB Entertainment Center website. The venue has hosted awards nights and community fundraisers, underscoring the Dreher family's local roots and the center's role in downtown festivities, as reported by the Folsom Times. For many regulars, the proposed project reads less like a reinvention and more like a fresh investment in a neighborhood fixture.
What's next
The expansion request now heads into the city's review pipeline, which could include staff analysis, Planning Commission review or City Council action, depending on which permits end up being required. City documents note that projects and ordinance changes can trigger multiple public hearings and, when applicable, environmental review, a combo that can stretch timelines, per City of Folsom staff reports. Public filings so far do not spell out when construction might start, and clearer dates are likely to surface only after the city posts formal hearing notices and staff analyses.
