There’s been a rumour out there that Nelson’s bowling alley is closed, but that’s not so, says its manager Dan Sammartino.
Sammartino was the manager when the Nelson Sports Council decided to withdraw from the business this past spring, and he stayed because “I saw that there is potential for a successful business as well as community service.”
“There several senior leagues,” he said, “and it is a big part of their life—they get to do some exercise and have some nice social time with their friends. Some have been bowling for 30 years. If it was shut down they would feel like they have a hole in their week.
“They are very competitive, it is serious fun for them, they want the stats just right, it is like a sport.”
Sammartino says there is also a special needs group of adults who use the lanes every week.
“You can see how much fun they have. They are very animated, happy, laughing, cheering, really into bowling, and it would be a shame if they could not continue.”
Sammartino says the lanes are also popular for kids’ birthday parties and for families, despite the fact that bowling as a sport has diminished and there are no adult bowling leagues any more.
He wants to use the lanes for a bigger variety of events, “with DJs, bands, art openings, special events, we are looking at an oyster bowling night. We had a punk rock show with five punk bands. It was a fundraiser for Coop Radio, and it sold out in 12 minutes.”
The Savoy Lanes will be open this summer on Friday and Saturday evenings, but bowlers can book lanes by phone for any time of the week.