A new Big Al’s entertainment center will be opening in summer 2012. Pictured is a Big Al’s center in Beaverton, Ore.

Construction of a new $14 million entertainment center is set to begin near Idaho’s busiest intersection.

Vancouver, Wash.,-based Big Al’s will open a two-story, 65,848-square- foot  family entertainment center at Eagle and Fairview Roads in the Meridian Town Center. It will include 42 bowling lanes, arcade, sports bar and grill, pool tables, golf simulator and lounge area.

Kirkwood & Kirkwood of Vancouver, Wash., is the parent company and builder of Big Al’s, which has locations in Beaverton, Ore., and Vancouver. Assistant Project Manager Kyle Marston said while the facility caters to families, it also attracts adults without kids.

 “We get a lot of people on Saturdays who want to come in and watch college football,” Marston said.

Construction is scheduled to kick off in August and wrap up in July 2012. Scott Edwards Architecture of Portland is the architect. Kirkwood & Kirkwood will serve as the general contractor. Utah-based CenterCal Properties is the developer. A call to CenterCal about the project wasn’t returned.

The company has been planning the 90-acre Meridian Town Center development with a mix of retail, entertainment, restaurants and office space for nearly four years. However, the economic downturn put the project on hold, CenterCal Vice President of Development Craig Trottier told the Idaho Business Review in December 2010. When completed, the development will include more than 500,000 square feet of retail, entertainment, restaurant and office space. CenterCal also owns the Treasure Valley Marketplace in Nampa.

Meridian Deputy Planning Director Pete Friedman said he was aware of the Big Al’s project, but said no application has yet been filed with the city. A comprehensive plan for the property has already been established with no rezoning required for the parcel.

 Friedman noted that applications for new projects in Meridian are up considerably compared to this same time in 2010.

 “There are a number of projects in the wings and we are going to be seeing quite a bit of activity in the next few months,” Friedman said.