Langford Lanes is silent and dark. The glass doors and windows are smeared with greasy hand prints where people have tried to peer inside at the neatly stacked colourful bowling balls and metal chairs.
But all of that is about to change.
“Our number one goal opening the door is going to be customer service,” said City Centre Park facility manager Gerry St. Cyr.
He expected Langford Lanes and the restaurant to be fully up and running by mid-October, with league play and party bookings. But even with no official opening date as yet, St. Cyr said they have still been receiving calls from people wishing to book their holiday parties already.
He stressed that the facility will be under new management and ownership. Langford Lanes and the Galloping Goose Grille were previously separate entities from the adjacent City Centre Park facilities, but they will now be owned and operated by Performance Plus Inc., St Cyr’s company.
Planex Development and Langford Bowling and Entertainment Ltd., which operated Langford Lanes under an agreement with the City, went into receivership earlier in the summer. Langford Mayor Stew Young told the Gazette in June that if the situation was not resolved within 30 days, the City would find a new operator.
Since that time, the sound of bowling balls thundering down wooden lanes and the crash of pins have been absent from the popular spot.
“We’re definitely making some changes for the better,” St. Cyr said. He added that the bowling alley would focus on catering to league play while making open lanes more accessible to the public.
The restaurant will also be getting a complete redesign, with a new menu and look. A new kitchen staff has been hired to create a menu from scratch with less expensive items, and offer faster service.
“Our goal is to service people that are here at the park,” he said, mentioning the addition of a party room to cater to youth teams and other groups.
The facility is looking to hire between 40 and 50 new staff members, St. Cyr said. While many former staff members moved on, he added, he’d love to speak with them if they’re interested in returning.
A side concession with a full breakfast menu will also stem from the restaurant, to be open at 5:30 a.m. for early morning skaters and others using the facilities. Another focus will be the new lunch rush created by Belmont secondary students, St. Cyr said. He’s noticed students walking through City Centre to reach other amenities and the goal is to provide them with alternative meal options from what they would find at the school or elsewhere.
Even with the new plans in place, St. Cyr said they still want more input from the community. Upgrades to the facility have been spurred by previous suggestions by the public about areas that needed improving.
For more information on league play or to book the facilities, phone 250-391-1738.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com