Vanier residents pin hopes on saving local bowling alley

For nearly 75 years, bowlers have thrown spares and strikes at the Centre Francophone deVanier, a local French-language community centre.

That could soon be coming to an end.

The centre has said itmay have to shut down the lanes by April 30due to financial difficulties, spurringVanier residents to rallySaturday to save the local bowling alley.

Ghislaine Laplante, a specialized educator for children, said she comes to the alleyevery Thursday morning with around 20 young people who haveintellectual disabilities.

She said that for some of the youth, it's their only time tosee their friends and socialize. Laplantehopedafundraisermay be able to save the alley.

"For children and adults with disabilities, bowling iscognitively andphysicallygood," she told Radio-Canada in French.

'We don't make any profits'

Organizers and the public are consideringsolutions to prevent the closure, possibly by bringing in more people to use the facilityand extending itsopening hours.

"Every week,we don't make any profitswe draw from our reserve," RaymondLpine, the treasurer and bowling alley's manager, said in a French-language interview with Radio-Canada.

Diane Lalonde, who helps managea group of adult bowlers with developmental disabilities, said the closure would negatively affect those who need consistency in their schedules.

"[They're] very disappointed that it's closing. Because it's their life, bowling." said Lalonde, who plays with her group every Saturday.

Jean-FlixGorley, 10, had tears in his eyes at the rally Saturday as he spoke about the closure.

"I would like to keep it open, because everyone has fun," he said.

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleurysaid he's in discussions with the centre's directorto see what can be done

"For them, it is a question of profitability," he said. "It is a recreational space that is used by seniors, by the Francophone community, [and] by people with special needs."