Bowling fans hope to bring attention to sport’s COVID-19 peril at Bellingham Park Bowl
While most Washington state businesses have been allowed to reopen in some form during the COVID-19 pandemic, bowling alleys have not, and owners say the new regulations are threatening the future of the popular sport.
The Washington State Bowling Proprietors Association recently launched a Bring Back Bowling campaign, which includes a statewide rally on Saturday, Aug. 8. One of the rallies will be held at Bellingham’s Park Bowl on 4175 Meridian St., starting at noon. People are being encouraged to bring signs, wear masks and practice social distancing.
When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in Washington state about five months ago, bowling alleys were originally placed in the Phase 3 category of the state’s reopening plans. Last month the state decided bowling alleys shouldn’t open until Phase 4, a move that many bowling centers won’t be able to survive, said Greg Olsen, executive director of the association.
With organized leagues and open play, bowling has been a popular sport in this area. There are three bowling centers in Whatcom County, with two in Bellingham. Olsen estimates the three employ around 75 people and have a customer base of around 10,000. Annual revenues for the three combined are in the $7 million to $10 million range, he said in an email.
The closures have already started. The Glacier Lanes bowling center in Everett announced that it was permanently closing. Olsen believes it won’t be the only one if the current restrictions remain in place. Without some financial help, tax breaks or a reopening soon, the bowling proprietors association noted in a letter to the governor that 95% of the state’s bowling centers would close.
Phase 4 is the final phase of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start program, which would allow things such as nightclubs, large sporting events and live entertainment to resume. Along with bowling alleys, arcades and family entertainment centers were moved to Phase 4.
The 65 members of the association were meeting once a week for 18 weeks to create rules for a Phase 3 opening. They had agreed on a list of 17 different measures they thought would prevent the spread of COVID-19, including requiring face coverings, sanitizing rentals after each use, temperature checks of employees and removing 50% of tables and chairs to encourage social distancing.
Olsen said the association has been in contact with state officials to find a solution, but is also turning to the public for help urging the governor and local officials to allow bowling centers to reopen.
