Burnaby’s last bowling alley to close

The good times at Burnaby’s last bowling alley will soon be coming to an end after a developer bought the property.

Revs has been open since 1962 according to its vice president, Rob Taylor.

“Over 60 years in business,” he said. “In the inaugural phase, it was so popular and so busy it was a 24-hour-a-day operation, filled with leagues, open play, and fundraisers from the beginning.”

Rob Taylor, vice-president of Revs, says people have been enjoying the facility since 1962. (Kier Junos, CityNews Image)

People of different ages and abilities have been enjoying Burnaby’s last bowling alley lately, but the good times will soon have to come to an end, as Taylor says he had to put the place up for sale, and it was bought by a developer in March.

“Unfortunately, for well over a decade, property taxes have been based on highest best use. So, they looked at the property and said, what can it be? In this instance, this surrounding area, they see multiple towers with a commercial component,” he explained.

“It’s been really tough. But we’ve done our best to get to this point, but unfortunately, we couldn’t make it anymore due to the property tax, and centre closures which were extensive during COVID.”

Taylor says the property is on a lease-back contract, so it might still be around for a couple of years while the property goes through a redevelopment process.

Bowling enthusiasts and people wanting to have some fun at the lanes still have a couple of options nearby. There’s still a Revs in Maple Ridge, and Zone Bowling Centre in Coquitlam isn’t too far away either.

And even though Burnaby’s last bowling alley will come to a close, the game still has a future according to Taylor.

“I don’t think bowling is dying,” he said. “The age of the giant centres on giant lots of land like we’re on, I think are over. However, back east, I know there are some centres being built that are smaller venues, that are more upscale.”