Leagues return to Wonder Lanes

Bowling leagues are finally making their return to Wonder Lanes.

Leagues haven't taken place at Wonder Lanes since the spring of 2020, when operations ground to a halt because of the COVID pandemic. The New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation (NRABC) purchased the bowling that fall after longtime owners Leroy and Pat Krueger decided to retire, and then raised more than $300,000 to renovate the space.

Those renovations turned Wonder Lanes into one of the most modern bowling alleys in North Dakota, and in February, Wonder Lanes' new proprietor, Andrew Saucier, was able to open his lanes to the public.

Now, as summer transitions to fall, it's finally time to begin one of the alley's most beloved traditions.

This year, Wonder Lanes will host three adult leagues (men's, women's and mixed/unmixed) and one after-school kid's league. Whether or not the third adult league will be mixed or unmixed has yet to be determined, said Saucier.

Each adult league will compete once a week from 7-9 p.m., with Wednesdays being reserved for women's league, Thursdays for men's league and Sundays for mixed/unmixed, and each team will play three games per night.

Saucier said he's currently working out details for the youth league, and that the Women's Bowling League will be the first to get underway.

On Tuesday, Sept. 6, a Women's Bowling League meeting was hosted at Wonder Lanes, where bowlers discussed the upcoming league season and set a start date.

After just one meeting, Saucier said they already had enough women for three teams of four bowlers, who decided on an official start date of Wednesday, Sept. 21 - and it's not too late to sign up.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 13, Saucier is encouraging those interested in any of the adult leagues to give Wonder Lanes a call at (701) 947-2428, or to stop by the bowling alley at 903 Central Avenue in New Rockford, where a sign-up sheet will be made available.

He added that he'll be putting meeting dates and other information for the adult leagues in the Transcript as more information becomes known, and that those interested can also keep track of any developments by checking the Wonder Lanes Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/wonderlanesbowling.

For the more serious bowlers, Saucier said he's particularly excited about a new oiling machine, which was recently purchased by the NRABC specifically for this league season.

"If there's any doubts from these leaguers about the lanes and the oil patterns," said Saucier, "the NRABC did get the new oiling machine for the lanes, so that has greatly improved the bowling experience."

Saucier said the old oiling machine left way too much oil on the lanes, which caused problems for bowlers who relied on a strong curveball.

"I've noticed an overall increase in bowling scores from repeat bowlers ever since getting the new oiling machine," he said.

Saucier expressed appreiation to the NRABC, and its director Amanda Hegland in particular, for their constant support as Wonder Lanes continues to prepare for the league season, which will be his first as the owner of a bowling alley.

"I'm looking forward to having a chance to get to know everyone," said Saucier, "all those bowlers that Leroy [Krueger] had taken care of for the past 50 years. ... Just to have those steady faces coming through each week will be a good opportunity to meet some of those long-time bowlers."

Meanwhile, Wonder Lanes remains available to the public for open bowling. Their hours are 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Once league bowling gets underway, Saucier said regular hours will be subject to change.