Mosienko Lanes a modern, upbeat facility

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/01/2015 (4156 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Alex Cowie, Steve Stasiuk, Bill (Shorty) Naften and the other oldtimers would probably be amazed at some of the changes that have taken place inside Billy Mosienko Bowling Lanes, located at the corner of Main Street  and Redwood Avenue.

The portraits of those three gentlemen, along with six others, are lined up on a wall at the North End five-pin facility under the heading, Perfect Game Wall of Fame.

Those perfect games (a 450 score) were bowled years ago — the most recent one in 1986.
One also wonders what the Lanes’ original owner, Chicago Black Hawks great Billy Mosienko (1921-1994) — who owns the record for scoring the three fastest goals in NHL history (21 seconds in a 1952 game versus the New York Rangers) — would say.

But times change and “this isn’t your grandma’s bowling alley,” says a promotional brochure available at the front refreshment counter.

Disco lights, black lights and runway lights, plus heart-pounding music, piped in live from the Bowling Music Network in southern Ontario, have helped attract a younger crowd  to the business in the past few years, said proprietor Jason Britton, whose family, which also owns Academy Bowling Lanes and Academy Lanes West, purchased Mosienko Lanes years ago.

“Our bowling lanes even glow in the dark during our cosmic events,” he added, noting that he has 10 full time and part time employees.

“At Mosienko Lanes, we have many bowling leagues to choose from as well as great birthday parties and specials all week long. Our banquet and party room is large enough to hold up to 40 people for a meal, meeting or presentations after your bowling. We also have a large parking lot with ample room for large groups.”

On a recent visit, a total of 75 children and their teachers from Machray Elementary School and Champlain School, respectively, were taking a year end field trip to the lanes.

“It’s within walking distance from our school, and they’re accommodating here,” said Nicole McFerran, a teacher at Champlain, as her excited grade 4 and 5 students milled about.

Britton mentions that there are leagues, such as the Winnipeg All Stars, that have been bowling at the lanes for 60 years now.

“We’re entertainment for family and friends,” he added.

“People come here for a good time.”

Billy Mosienko’s legacy endures in North End Winnipeg.   

Martin Zeilig is a community correspondent for the North End. You can contact him at mzeilig@mymts.net