Staff
For the first time, Plaza Lanes bowling alley is open during the summer.
“It was a decision I made when I took over as manager,” explained Jayson McFarlane, who took over the business back in February.
“It started from the days when I would come home for the summer from school and there would be nothing to do,” he added.
“We always tell people to get out and experience and do stuff in town, but we don’t give them stuff to do.
“That was what drove me to do it,” said McFarlane.
Plaza Lanes has been on summer hours since the end of May, Wednesday through Saturday, 4 p.m. until midnight.
McFarlane has specials on every night.
For example, Wednesday is “Toonie Night” at $2 a game, while Thursday is “Family Night” from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
“Then we’re running an open league [from 8:30 p.m. until midnight]; so there’s no administration fees, you’re not committed to bowling every week,” said McFarlane.
“It’s just registering a team week by week, and we have cash prizes and Labatt prizes,” he added.
“You pay $15 for every member of your team, ten dollars going to bowling and five dollars going to the prize pot,” explained McFarlane.
Teams consist of four people aged 17 and up, with registration ending at 8:30 p.m. and games starting at 9 p.m..
“Friday is ‘Student Night’, so they get two games and shoes for five dollars with a student card,” McFarlane continued.
Student night runs from 6 p.m. until midnight.
“Saturdays we’re now running an ‘Unlimited Bowling Special’ between 8 p.m. and midnight. Ten dollars gets you as much bowling as you can do in four hours,” said McFarlane.
He noted that earlier in the evenings on Fridays and Saturdays before the specials start, there will be regular bowling available.
“We’ve brought in new products, so far this summer we’ve brought in new beverages and new food products,” he continued, explaining more of the changes that have taken place.
“We’ve recently added four new food items—we’re doing bar appetizers, jalapeño poppers, mozza sticks, bread sticks, and chicken fingers.”
Business has slowly been picking up in the past month, mostly due to word-of-mouth.
“It’s getting there, it’s a week by week basis,” said McFarlane. “A lot of people aren’t used to us being open.
“I remember when I first took over in the winter and we started a deal on Saturdays, people were coming in and they were like ‘We’re just not used to you being open,’” he added.
“That was one thing I wanted to focus on when I came in; getting hours, being consistent with them, and just making sure that people know that we’re open and that we’re offering the services that we offer.”
McFarlane noted that the bowling alley is still available to host birthday parties and other events.
