In conjunction with the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA), ICE recently had the opportunity to experience an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the most celebrated family entertainment centers in the country — Star Lanes Polaris, the 2026 AAMA Family Entertainment Center (FEC) of the Year.
The prestigious honor was presented during Amusement Expo International 2026 on March 18, 2026, recognizing Star Lanes Polaris for excellence in guest experience, operational performance, innovation, leadership, revenue growth, and overall entertainment quality.
Located in Columbus, Ohio, Star Lanes Polaris opened in 2013 and has grown into a premier 35,000-square-foot bowling-anchored family entertainment destination owned and operated by brothers Doug and Jeff Mechling. Over the years, the facility has continually evolved by investing in new attractions and guest experiences that continue to drive repeat visitation and customer engagement.
Today, the center features luxury bowling lanes, a large arcade and redemption area, Omni Arena VR, an XD theater ride, augmented reality darts, expansive food and beverage offerings, and dedicated spaces for birthday parties and corporate events.
The competition for this year’s award was strong, with fellow finalists including Downtown Flavortown, Fun Warehouse, High Five Lakeway, and Uptown Alley.
As part of the AAMA FEC Connect event hosted at Star Lanes Polaris, attendees were given a comprehensive behind-the-scenes tour of the operation, showcasing everything from kitchen preparation and food service logistics to bowling pinsetter systems and day-to-day facility management.
Dan Coppola of ICE praised both the experience and the dedication of the Star Lanes team:
“It was incredibly awesome to see Star Lanes and the entire operation. During the day, we received a full behind-the-scenes tour of the facility — from kitchen prep to the pinsetters and everything in between. The Mechling family and their entire staff are well deserving of this recognition. The location continues to invest and evolve since its inception. It’s an honor to see our games in their FEC. I have great memories visiting this location in the winter of 2018 with my family, including my father. We had a great time that day bowling and enjoying the games in the arcade. I especially remember as a family we bowled and played Harpoon Lagoon together. It’s special how family entertainment centers like Star Lanes continue to bring families and friends together.”
ICE currently has more than a dozen games operating inside Star Lanes Polaris, further highlighting the strong partnership between the entertainment manufacturer and the award-winning FEC. Guests can experience a dynamic ICE “skill wall” featuring fan-favorite attractions including Down the Clown, Bean Bag Toss, Milk Jug Toss, and NBA Hoops, all prominently displayed to challenge players and enhance the guest experience.
With a continued commitment to innovation, guest satisfaction, and operational excellence, Star Lanes Polaris has firmly established itself as one of the leading family entertainment centers in the nation — and the 2026 AAMA FEC of the Year award further reinforces that reputation.
