Uncertain future for Elgin bowling alley

Woodview Lanes calls itself the finest 40-lane bowling center in Elgin. But its future is uncertain and its customer base has been dwindling as the sale of the alley continues to drag on.

Henry Clowers has been bowling at Woodview Lanes since 2003, just after he moved to Elgin. As a worried bowler, Clowers hopes a sale can go through soon and save his beloved alley.

“The house would be just about filled with the fall leagues if they could find out when they can get an owner in there,” Clowers said.

Uncertainty is pushing leagues to find new locations and hurting an already beleaguered business. Clowers knew the bowling alley at a time when it was running strong, but a bad economy paired with difficulties Clowers attributes to the previous owner have left Woodview Lanes hurting.

Zions First National Bank in Salt Lake City has owned the bowling alley since January of 2010 and it has been on the market since last April.

Frank Celarek of Prudential Starck Realtors thought a sale was closing weeks ago but the prospective buyer has yet to sign the papers.

Celarek said this is the time of year when leagues start planning for their fall starts. So far, customers are full of questions about the future of Woodview Lanes.

“We’re trying to get things resolved so we can get them some answers,” Celarek said.

Cardinal Legal Group in Chicago, the firm representing the prospective buyer, did not return several calls for comment about the pending sale. Until papers are signed, Celarek said, the property is still on the market with a $550,000 price tag.

Tim Miedema, the manager at Woodview Lanes, said he has brought prospective buyers through to look at the alley and its accompanying banquet hall but interest has fallen through so far, perhaps because of high property taxes in Cook County.

While the wait drags on, Miedema said, the bowling center has lost a few leagues and it has warned others to have a backup plan for this fall.

Clowers strongly believes the bowling alley is good for the community. He and his family bowl together every Wednesday and he makes it down for a game most days.

“It’s just a shame that what has been built has been almost destroyed,” Clowers said.

Like other loyal customers, Clowers is waiting, and hoping his time at Woodview is not coming to an end.