Lease agreement troubles between Colinton Lanes manager Tracy Blundon and the Colinton Community Club (CCC) have bowlers worried about the future of the facility.
The CCC and Blundon had been sharing profits until it was agreed Blundon could lease the lanes.
Blundon and CCC president Cindy LuMaurier had come to an agreement; however, it was turned down by the club’s board. According to Blundon, the club wants to switch the building to a commercial lease, which would increase the cost to her.
“This is a small community … not on a main thoroughfare … you’re never going to have the kind of business to make it a commercial business,” Blundon said. “When I was hired on here, it was as a community facility, and I was asked to bring the business up because there was no business here.”
Blundon was brought on in March 2013. She said she has been working seven days a week and has given out her home number to bowlers so she is available any time to open the building.
She has given her written notice, and as of April 30, she will no longer be managing the lanes.
“It’s sad. I hope it doesn’t close. I’ve tried my best, but the board just doesn’t seem to want to come to a compromise,” Blundon said. “I’m very upset, and the bowlers are very upset.”
LuMaurier explained that the CCC has no plans to close the lanes and hopes an agreement can be reached with Blundon.
“We want to keep operating the lanes because it’s the only one in the county,” LuMaurier said. “We have always subsidized the lanes … just to keep them open, because the board feels they are worthwhile having.”
Just last year, the CCC paid to have the original ball return mechanisms replaced. The same mechanisms had been in place since the building opened in December of 1988. With the assistance of a Government of Alberta Community Facility Enhancement grant of $10,000 that the club was able to match, the roof was replaced.
Shirley Backstrom, seniors league coordinator, has been bowling at Colinton Lanes since 1992 and thinks it would be a shame for the seniors if the lanes were to close.
“Where else can they go for a couple hours of recreation, socialize, and enjoy the afternoon?” Backstrom said, noting that many bowlers still active at the lanes have been bowling there since the building opened.
“I would hate to see it close, for their sake, because what other recreation do they have?” Backstrom said.
The CCC has its annual general meeting on April 14, where it is expected the issue will be settled.
