Allen’s Crosley Lanes, 42 synthetic lanes, 2400 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, 360-693-4789. Web site: http://www.crosleylanes.com.
Bailey’s Classic Lanes, eight wood lanes, 11605 S.E. McGillivray, Vancouver, inside the Elks Lodge, 882-6921.
Big Al’s, 42 synthetic lanes, 16615 S.E. 18th St., Vancouver, 360-944-6118. Web site: http://www.ilovebigals.com.
Husted’s Hazel Dell Lanes, 24 synthetic lanes, 6300 N.E. Highway 99, Hazel Dell, 360-694-8364. Web site: http://www.hazeldelllanes.net/.
Allen's Crosley Lanes, 42 synthetic lanes, 2400 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver, 360-693-4789. Web site: <a href="http://www.crosleylanes.com.">http://www.crosleylanes.com.</a>
Bailey's Classic Lanes, eight wood lanes, 11605 S.E. McGillivray, Vancouver, inside the Elks Lodge, 882-6921.
Big Al's, 42 synthetic lanes, 16615 S.E. 18th St., Vancouver, 360-944-6118. Web site: <a href="http://www.ilovebigals.com.">http://www.ilovebigals.com.</a>
Husted's Hazel Dell Lanes, 24 synthetic lanes, 6300 N.E. Highway 99, Hazel Dell, 360-694-8364. Web site: <a href="http://www.hazeldelllanes.net/.">http://www.hazeldelllanes.net/.</a>
Tiger Bowl, 10 wood lanes, 211 N. Parkway Ave, Battle Ground, 360-687-2101.
Clark County United States Bowling Congress, which governs league bowling and sanctioned tournaments, 2101 E. Evergreen Blvd., Suite 103, Vancouver, 360-694-6348.
Tiger Bowl, 10 wood lanes, 211 N. Parkway Ave, Battle Ground, 360-687-2101.
Clark County United States Bowling Congress, which governs league bowling and sanctioned tournaments, 2101 E. Evergreen Blvd., Suite 103, Vancouver, 360-694-6348.
Modern bells and whistles? Check.
Challenging lanes made of wood? You bet.
Clark County bowling centers offer a variety of challenges and experiences for both dedicated competitors and those who enjoy the occasional social game.
From the three-year-old entertainment center Big Al’s to the long-established 10-lane center in Battle Ground, bowlers can line up for fun, or for serious league, tournament, even high school competitions.
With five bowling centers and more than 70 fall and winter leagues, there are plenty of opportunities for bowlers to get their fix in Clark County.
The sport side of the industry has been hurt by the economic downturn, according to Ron Walker, association manager for the Clark County chapter of the United States Bowling Congress. The USBC is the governing body for league and tournament amateur bowling.
Walker’s organization oversees sanctioned leagues in Clark County. He said there are about 3,100 registered bowlers in Clark County during the 2009-10 season. That’s a decrease of about 10 percent from the previous year, a drop Walker said likely reflects the economic times.
Despite the drop in participation, Walker said the number of honor scores — accomplishments such as 300 games, which his organization confirms — is on pace with recent seasons. And the number of youth bowlers is steady, according to Walker.
League bowlers pay weekly league fees that cover the bowling center’s fee, the prize fund if there is one, and pay for the league secretary. To participate in sanctioned leagues, bowlers must pay a $20 annual membership fee to the USBC.
In addition to sanctioning local league play, the local USBC chapter stages a variety of countywide tournaments.
Big Al’s, in east Vancouver, helped change the face of bowling in Clark County when it opened in September 2006. The 60,000-square-foot center includes an arcade and a sports bar, along with a 30-lane traditional bowling area. An additional 12 lanes are separated for use by private groups.
While Big Al’s is the newest center in the area, Crosley Lanes recently underwent significant renovation, and Hazel Dell Lanes changed owners with pro bowler Dave Husted buying the business in 2008.
Tiger Bowl in Battle Ground and Bailey’s Classic Lanes at the Vancouver Elks Lodge are smaller centers with challenging wood lanes.
The recent addition of girls bowling as a sanctioned high school sport in Washington has also helped increase interest in the game, Walker said.
A ban on smoking in public places went into effect in December 2005, initially creating a downturn in the number of bowlers. Walker said that downturn was erased in less than a year.
