The Westlock Bowl has been closed since the beginning of August, leaving some people yearning for that sweet sound of a strike.
Don and Susan Cloutier, owners and operators of the Westlock Bowl, closed their doors on Aug. 2 for routine maintenance. The timing is unsurprising given that they typically close around this time of year when people prefer to enjoy the warmth of the sun rather than the neon glow.
“For the most part, I think most understand, and especially this year, it’s been pretty dry and warm, so everybody’s wanting to do outside stuff,” said Don Cloutier.
Basic maintenance, like what the Cloutiers do for the alley, is what ensures it will be around for a long time and what keeps it from breaking down midway through the busy winter season.
“It’s frustrating when you have a breakdown and the place is full. So we try to make sure that doesn't happen and do our best with preventative maintenance,” Don Cloutier said as he talks about the weeks-long upkeep on the pin machines he’s completed.
Maintenance for a bowling alley can be complex when with just the machines in the back room. Calibrating the pins to ensure they restart in the same place can range from taking a few hours to a few days, depending on mechanical issues.
Some more simple but time-consuming aspects are replacing any frayed strings on the pins and changing out the blue pin bands that keep them from breaking.
The Cloutiers have owned Westlock Bowl for over ten years now, taking over after the previous owners retired, but it has a richer history than that. It was in 1964 that the building located on 100 Ave was built with the intention of making it a bowling alley. As it has been passed on from owner to owner, the place continues as a hot spot for the community.
“We’ve developed a really good relationship with our bowlers, they feel like family,” Susan Cloutier says as their leagues start back up on Sept. 1, providing a safe space for everyone to let go of their stress and put some fun back into their week.
