CARNDUFF - For three years, things have been so quiet at Carnduff’s Bowling Lanes that you could hear a pin drop. Well, you couldn’t even hear that, as the lanes were closed.
Now they’re open again. After six years of thinking about it, Johnny and Christine Friesen purchased the lanes, did some renovations, changed the name and this past March, Carnduff Bowl & Sports Lounge became part of Carnduff’s landscape.
The Friesens began overhauling the kitchen, a process that is still ongoing, replaced most of the aging shoes, did some major paintwork and ordered an air conditioner for those hot summer months that are just around the corner. Bowling in the summers of years gone by felt more like being in a sauna than in a bowling alley.
The Friesen’s have big dreams for their new business. Soon they plan to have an outdoor patio, a couple of golf simulators and a lounge where one can watch their favourite sports teams in action.
Once their kitchen facilities are completed, they will be offering a menu featuring in-house preparation, but in the meantime, pizza and fried chicken are brought in from local suppliers. A few homemade items, like hot dogs and nachos, are available.
They are licensed if you enjoy something a little stronger than a soft drink.
Currently, they are running a few fun leagues, are open to public bowling, and host parties. Wind-ups for sports teams, birthdays – they’ve even hosted a bash for 4-H, where 137 4-H kids came and went throughout the day. All four lanes were used and their maximum capacity of 86 was put to the test.
When fall arrives, Youth Bowl Canada and league bowling will begin in earnest.
The Friesens are thrilled with how the first few months have gone. Expectations have been exceeded, thanks to the support of the Carnduff community and those beyond.
Local bowlers are also happy that they no longer have to travel far and wide to places like Estevan and Melita to get their bowling fix.
It’s great to hear a pin drop once again. Drop in and hear for yourself.
