Sad State of Bowling in St Cloud

Sorry to all you poker guys, but this is another bowling post. Another bowling center has closed down in the St Cloud area. It's not much of a surprise to see Vilo Lanes in Waite Park close as it has been on the brink for many years. This leaves 3 center in the area market not including the game room at the college. Great River Bowl, Southway Bowl and El Paso Lanes in St Joe. El Paso even though it has bowling lanes is really a bar that happens to have lanes in it. They are uncared for and haven't been modernized since the 60's. It has a small mix of league bowlers and is rarely open for open bowlers. Southway is the combination of Granite Bowls and from what I hear most league bowlers are waiting for a chance to move to Great River. Great River continues to lead the way with the nicest center in the area, but seems to be spending it's time increasing bar and restaurant business instead of concentrating on it's bowling business. Where does that leave the bowlers of St Cloud. Excuse the language but it seems appropriate here. Shit out of luck! St Cloud which used to be a bowling heaven will soon be a place where no one goes bowling anymore. It's a sad state for our city. Bowling is still one of the most participated in sports and seems to be growing in other areas of the country, so why not here. Lets start with the area USBC board that is full of older single minded individuals that don't really understand the business of bowling. The few good board members are becoming disenfranchised and leaving the board. Leaving the future unclear. The center owners themselves are probably the biggest problem. There is no clear vision to teach the youth about bowling. Youth are the future of the bowling industry and no one here seems to care. I am not saying that there are not youth leagues here in St Cloud it's just that they are creating future league bowlers. At best they are creating once a year bowlers. Now, a person could certainly blame the economy for a lot of the industries problems, but instead of putting blame why not try and find solution.

Happy New Year ALL!