The final frame at 394 Academy

People looking to get their last frames in at Academy Lanes have been spared a few more weeks before the bowling centre shuts down.

Following the announcement that the bowling alley would close on July 18 and the subsequent flood of community support, Todd Britton, president of Academy Lanes (394 Academy Rd.), said he and the building owners were able to push the closing date to the fall.

"Summer is slow for us so we thought we’ll shut ‘er down in the summer and it won’t be a big deal," Britton said. "But because it’s been such an amazing outpouring of feelings and people really want to get their last visits in, we’ve been able to extend our closing to probably Sept. 1."

Academy Lanes has been a landmark on Academy Road for nearly 60 years and the bowling alley has been in Britton’s family for over three decades. The municipally designated historic building, formerly known as the Uptown Theatre, was built in 1931.

Britton said the impending closure was prompted by increasing property values in the neighbourhood. Britton and the building’s management firm, Globe Property Management, were unable to come to a new lease agreement.

"It was essentially, that the property values in this neighbourhood had increased to a point where we couldn’t sustain our business in the property any longer," Britton said. "And the landlord wanted to redevelop it so he could realize the potential of the property, I guess."

Britton said he can’t speculate as to what will fill the two-storey, 25,000-square-foot building when they vacate. Ron Penner, senior vice-president with Globe, said the company is unable to comment at this time. The company also manages properties adjacent to the bowling centre.

"Academy Road and River Heights has over the last 10 years, like most neighbourhoods in the city, risen in value so greatly that now people are looking for different uses for their buildings," Britton conceded.

"It’s kind of a positive indication for the neighbourhood, but it kind of negatively impacted our participation in the neighbourhood."

The building and the people who’ve made Academy Lanes their local haunt have had a lasting influence on his life, Britton said. Between the regulars who come through the bowling centre, birthday parties, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and weddings, the staff at Academy Lanes have been a part of hundreds of milestone occasions for the community.

"It’s been the most constant thing in my life since I’ve been alive and it’s intersected my life in so many ways throughout the years," Britton said.

"One of the coolest memories for me was the first night we put glow bowling in and the reaction from the customers. Until then, bowling centres were places where league bowlers came, and while that was great it really opened us up to a whole market of people that may not have ever visited.

"To see people come in and be wowed by the experience is something that I won’t ever forget," he said.

In September, the crew at Academy Lanes will begin packing up the lanes, lights, gutters, balls and concession stands to relocate to a new venue about "five minutes away," Britton said.

He’s aiming for a November or December opening in the new location, though he can’t disclose where it will be just yet.

"It’s killing me that I can’t because I’d love to be able to, but we’re really close on that and we’re really excited about the change," he said.