SPANISH FORT, Ala.—The operators of Gulf Bowl in Foley expect to move forward with construction of a 35,000-square-foot family entertainment center at the Eastern Shore Centre within the next 30 days.

“We’d love to be open for Christmas,” said Frank Cole, who operates Cole Properties LLC with his wife, Sonya, and son, Dusty.

During Monday’s regular meeting, the Spanish Fort Planning Commission approved the Coles’ land use, re-subdivision and site plan requests, clearing the way for construction of a $4.6 million mixed-use facility on Eastern Shore Boulevard just south of Arlington Properties. The complex will include a 24-lane bowling alley, arcade, sports bar and grill, billiards, a mezzanine area and laser tag and is expected to employ 45 people.

Sonya Cole said the Spanish Fort site is ideal because of its proximity to Interstate 10, which will allow the operation to not only serve local residents but draw tremendous traffic from both Mobile and Pensacola.

“It also allows us to feed off the synergies of the shopping center,” Frank Cole said.

Former City Engineer Ronald Gibson was the only resident to speak against the complex during the public hearing portion of Monday’s meeting, citing the proposed structure’s metal façade. He urged the commission not to undermine more than $10 million in infrastructure invested in the Eastern Shore Centre by the city by approving construction of a metal building that “will degrade the value of other buildings” in the development.

Eastern Shore Centre owner David Foshee submitted a letter read by Building Official Bruce Renkert in which he called the Coles’ proposal an “ideal solution” for the sizeable lot that he believes will become “an integral part of our entertainment package.”

The site is zoned B-3, or general business, meaning all of the uses requested by the Coles were allowed under that designation but required commission approval.