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Willowbrook Lanes continues to roll along

New owner decides to keep facility as a bowling alley
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Prior to selling Willowbrook Lanes in May, former owners Bob and Cheryl Randall stood near a youth bowling photo collage that decorates the far wall of the building. Troy Landreville Langley Times

The only thing that has changed at Willowbrook Lanes is its ownership.

In May, the 20-lane bowling alley changed hands, and prior to selling former owner Bob Randall indicated that the building that houses the alley might be used for a purpose other than bowling.

“A Korean specialty grocery store will be using our building,” Randall said at the time.

Technically, the final day of public bowling under the ownership of Randall and his wife Cheryl was May 14.

However, since acquiring the building the new owner has decided to keep the bowling ball rolling, so to speak.

As a result Willowbrook Lanes has continued through the summer, with no changes in sight — at least for time being.

On Aug. 24, Bob Randall updated the situation: “They will offer bowling for maybe two years. No leagues or youth programs at this point. They have retained some staff as well,” he said.

The Randalls had owned Willowbrook Lanes for much of its existence, taking over operation on July 1, 1986.

The decision for the couple to sell was a combination of it not being the best current use for the property and “us aging out,” said Randall, who was about to turn 69.

The bowling centre opened Canada Day, 1981 and is one of three of its kind in the region, Alder Alley in Aldergrove and Clover Lanes Cloverdale being the others.