Bowling alley to open lick-ity split

After being closed for nearly two years, the sounds of laughter, rumbling bowling balls and toppling pins may soon return to the Wonder Lanes bowling alley.

Wonder Lanes' new proprietor, Andrew Tillman-Saucier, told the Transcript on Monday that he hopes to hold a grand opening for the bowling alley as soon as February.

When the first bowlers finally arrive, they'll enjoy the expansive renovations that have taken place over the past year. The New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation announced the renovation project shortly after purchasing the bowling alley in September of 2020. Over $300,000 later, Wonder Lanes is now among the most modern bowling alleys in North Dakota.

Once the renovations were complete, all that was needed was someone who could run the show, and on Jan. 13, Andrew Tillman-Saucier was officially announced as the Wonder Lanes' new proprietor.

A native of Connecticut, Tillman-Saucier moved to New Rockford roughly three years ago, in time for his nine-year-old daughter to enjoy Wonder Lanes before the pandemic closed it down in March of 2020. Now, he's hoping to bring back the same entertainment his daughter once enjoyed, and that New Rockford residents have enjoyed for more than half a century.

"I just wanted to keep it running for the community and give some family-friendly entertainment," said Tillman-Saucier, on why he chose to manage the bowling alley. "... Just having the leagues and the kids here, the bowling clubs for the kids, and just to keep it a staple in the town like it's been for the last 50 or 60 years."

Inside the building, residents will immediately notice that Wonder Lanes has retained its retro design, as well as a large collage of photos on either side of the lanes, which commemorate the nearly 60-year history of the Wonder Lanes bowling alley.

Tillman-Saucier added that Wonder Lanes will feature a snack bar, including concession foods like nachos and hot dogs, and that he's in the process of getting his liquor license. The upgrades to Wonder Lanes, which include new flooring, decorative shelves and lighting, also feature the EDGE string pinspotter system and new synthetic lanes.

Wonder Lanes is the first and only bowling alley in North Dakota to use the new EDGE system, which should be easier to operate and maintain than traditional free fall systems. Synthetic lanes, meanwhile, will allow the bowling alley to avoid thousands of dollars in annual maintenance.

Last but not least, customers will see a brand new interactive digital display as they approach the lanes, which features a built-in camera and user-friendly interface. After choosing the number of competitors and typing their names, bowlers will be prompted to take three pictures of themselves - a silly face, an angry face, and a happy face - which can then be used for fun animations on the overhead display above their lane.

All totaled, the new and improved Wonder Lanes bowling alley honors its past and maintains its retro style, while providing their bowlers with the most advanced and user-friendly technology there is. However, additional training on the new technology and further work on the interior is still necessary before Wonder Lanes is fully operational.

"What I can say is I'd like to be open sometime in February, but I can't say it's set in stone yet," said Tillman-Saucier. "... And I'd like to do a grand opening type of scenario, because I know it's been closed down for a couple years now."

Residents of New Rockford and surrounding communities have been eagerly awaiting Wonder Lanes' grand re-opening for 22 months, but as the finishing touches and final preparations are underway, the long wait for local bowling is finally drawing to a close.