Celebrating its 70th anniversary, new ownership, and a massive renovation, Nechako Lanes is preparing to welcome the public to a grand re-opening this weekend.
Michael Giles, the new owner of Nechako Lanes, told My PG Now he has been working 8-10 hours a day on renovations over the summer in preparation for the long weekend ahead.
“Renovations have taken some time to do, a little more than I expected, but they are getting done,” Giles said. “It has been very busy, very steady with everything.”
Some of these renovations include: repainting the building’s entire exterior, much of the interior and the ball returns, installing a new front desk, and replacing a bathroom wall, and substantially rearranging.
The lanes will have a soft open on Thursday (August 3), followed by four full days of celebrating the re-opening and 70 years.
As a part of the celebration, Giles said children 12 and under play for free the entire weekend and everyone else gets to bowl for half price. All food and drink costs will also be halved.
He said there are 14 decorative bowling pins on the walls in the bowling alley that kids will have the chance to name in a draw. Winners get to officially name the pin and will receive a small prize pack.
The event has also caught the eye of city and council, Giles said the mayor and a handful of city councillors will be out to bowl and celebrate from 2:00 – 6:00 on Saturday.
One goal of the event is to help attract new, or bring back former, league bowlers.
Giles said Nechako Lanes runs bowling leagues for all ages and levels starting in September, and hopes to see interested bowlers return.
“If they decide they like bowling, there is a lot of leagues they can join and try their hand at,” he said.
The grand opening will be held from Friday to Monday, Nechako Lanes will be open from 10:00am – 9:00pm each of those days.
“I hope to have quite a turnout this weekend, and I hope everyone enjoys the changes we’ve made here,” Giles said. “I think it is going to be a much more open and inviting environment.”
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