(Lincoln Lanes Bowling Centre / Facebook)

By Liam Verster

Lincoln Lanes

Petition launched to save Vernon bowling alley

Jun 29, 2023 | 3:51 PM

An online petition has been started to encourage the City of Vernon to buy and preserve the Lincoln Lanes Bowling Centre.

The owners have had the bowling alley on the market for just about a year, and the petition stated there are concerns the building would be torn down if sold.

Gord Wiffen, who co-owns the bowling alley with his sister, told Vernon Matters that Lincoln Lanes has been in his family since 1968, but he and his sibling have their own families and it does not seem viable to split it up and continue to operate it as a family moving forward.

“We both love the bowling centre. it’s one of those things when you’re born and raised and have stayed this long you don’t not love it,” Wiffen said. “We want to see it stay as a bowling centre but it is one of those things we can’t control.”

Wiffen said they have only had one party interested in preserving the bowling alley since they put it up for sale, but the vision of the potential buyer did not align with their own.

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“Basically they wanted to keep it as a bowling centre but more as a bar-type bowling thing and not really worry too much about the league and tournament bowlers and stuff,” Wiffen explained. “It sort of leaves the kids out too when it’s a glorified bar/bowling centre kind of thing.”

Wiffen added that Lincoln Lanes is home to over 300 Club-55 bowlers, night league bowlers, youth bowlers, and special-needs bowlers, all of whom are more league-oriented than what the bar-style alley would offer.

He also stated potential buyers have approached him but with plans to tear it down and build apartments on the site, which is zoned as multi-family residential but could stay as an alley if it were preserved by a new owner.

The petition is asking the City of Vernon to step in and purchase the alley so it can remain as is, and the co-owner said that is something he would consider, noting it does have a positive impact on the local economy.

“It does serve the public, not only our local public, but a lot of people come from out of town for tournaments and so forth,” Wiffen told Vernon Matters.

“When we do host a provincial tournament or anything like that, it brings people to town. Those kids are brought by their parents who stay in hotels and eat at restaurants. It’s a win-win for Vernon.”

He also noted Port Coquitlam purchased a bowling alley a few years ago, so this would not be an unprecedented move, adding he may be able to work on a reasonable price if the city was interested.

“I think we could work something out that was favourable for everyone.”

Launched by Heather Leask on Wednesday, June 28, the petition received 1,200 signatures within the first 22 hours.

Leask, who bowls a few times a week at Lincoln Lanes and is a certified bowling coach, told Vernon Matters the lanes offer a great recreation option for a lot of people.

“I think recreation is important for any community. It’s going to keep people happy and interested and spending money in their own community instead of having to drive to Salmon Arm or drive to Kelowna to go bowling,” Leask said.

“Unfortunately, the age group that I tend to work with are seniors and I know that most of them are just not going to do [that drive]. I’m not sure I would go outside of my community to bowl, so it would be something that I’ve done for more than 55 years and I would just suddenly not be able to do it.”

She added bowling is a great indoor activity for people of all ages and abilities, including those with special needs, and there aren’t a lot of opportunities for indoor sports locally.

Along with offering a recreation opportunity to locals, Leask reiterated that the lanes do bring in people from out of town for tournaments and events that translate to broader economic benefits.

Leask plans to put together a letter and approach Vernon city council with the online petition, a hand-signed petition and request they consider purchasing and preserving the alley at the next regular meeting.