A new bowling alley could take up shop in Girouxville as early as next fall. The Village of Girouxville and Girouxville Sports Club have initiated talks with Gary Schmlatz, owner and operator of a bowling alley in Whitecourt and general contractor of bowling alleys. Murielle Marceau spoke on behalf of the Girouxville Sports Club and village council at a community meeting last Thursday night which attracted 75 people. “The idea for such a facility came up this spring at the closing meeting of the Girouxville Sports Club,” says Marceau. “In the last few years we’ve seen a huge decline in attracting local curlers for square draws. The youth curling has remained pretty steady, but we cannot warrant operating a facility which is in need of costly repairs.” Marceau explains the club had some options, including renovating the old curling rink, but decided with new facilities in adjoining communities a new type of sports facility would be a better option. The proposed alley would be erected on Main Street, east of the Caisse Horizon. It would consist of a four-lane, five-pin facility with a kitchen and lounge area. “We believe there is a strong need for an innovative sport facility such as this,” says Marceau. “Bowling is an activity that younger children, adolescents, middle age, individuals with disabilities and adults can participate in with ease.” Marceau explained the nearest bowling centres are in Enilda, Valleyview, Fairview and Grande Prairie. She says people frequent bowling alleys for Christmas parties, birthday parties and staff parties, and normally have to travel to one of the above locations. Gary Schmaltz has priced out the cost of the bowling alley, which will include a building with framed glass walk-in doors, six windows, two exit doors, R50 insulation in the ceiling, R28 insulation in the walls, a four foot by eight inch foundation, and 24 inch by 10 inch spread footing. The initial estimate is $1,340,165 for the building. This includes all lounge furniture, kitchen equipment and bowling related equipment. Costs include $18,500 for blueprints and permits, $277,000 for the building, $265,000 concrete slab and footings, $95,085 electrical, $126,780 mechanical, $55,000 plumbing and $32,000 plumbing fixtures and water heaters. It also includes $56,000 for flooring, $42,000 for lounge furniture and fixtures, $45,000 kitchen equipment and fixtures, $38,000 for counters, walls and millwright, and $100,000 for general contracting. The remainder of the money will be used to pay for bowling and related equipment. Schmaltz has built various bowling alleys across Canada, including Gateway Bowling in Edmonton. He says a four lane alley would be the perfect size for the population in the area. He has also included a financial projection, which he explains he has based on three other four-lane community centres. Schmaltz projects about a $75,000 profit from bowling sales, food sales and snacks and liquor and beer each year. He has estimated expenses including taxes, insurance, garbage disposal, telephone, power, and gas, food, etc. to add to $58,150. This would mean the alley would see a profit of nearly $17,000 each year. The village of Girouxville council plan on making the facility a community owned and operated business, but reassure residents their taxes will not be affected by the construction of a bowling alley. A rough design of the alley was created by Schmaltz in an "L" shape. The alley will include all new bowling equipment, synthetic lanes, and 32 inch LCD monitors for each lane. If anyone is interested in volunteering for the project or sitting on the organizing committee, please phone village of Girouxville office at 780-323-4270 or Eugene Turcotte at 780-323-4321.