Steelville Lanes is open for bowling under new ownership and hopes to thrive as a gathering place for fun and food in the community. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies for were held on Friday, Feb. 5 with the Steelville Chamber of Commerce. Cutting the ribbon was manager Roy Ruble, flanked by co-owner Wayde Grandstaff.

Ready, set, bowl! Steelville Lanes is open once again for bowling fun in the community. Ribbon cutting ceremonies with the Steelville Chamber of Commerce were held Friday, Feb. 5, despite the thick snow falling outside.

“We’ve had a lot of support from the community,” co-owner Wayde Grandstaff told those on hand for the event. “That’s why it’s open. We’re here for the community and I hope people will support it.”

The lanes are owned by Wayde and Connie Grandstaff, who also own and operate Wayde’s Equipment, located a few miles east of town on Hwy. 8, and John and Tammy Evans, whose other business venture is Evans Logging. The alley is managed by Roy Ruble.

“The bowling alley was a mainstay of the community for years,” Chamber President Peggy Cardoni said. She spoke of families bowling together, kids’ birthday parties and youth group gatherings in the alley in addition to the people involved in league play.

These are traditions the bowling center hopes to revive in the town. “It’s a good place for kids come—a clean atmosphere,” Grandstaff said. “I saw a need for this in the community; that’s the main reason we opened it.” He also noted that John Evans is an avid bowler and was really behind the idea of re-opening the place.

Steelville Lanes is open for bowling Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to midnight. At this time, open bowling is available during all operating hours. There is also a full-service kitchen, featuring burgers, fries, pizza, rib-eye steak sandwiches and other delicious offerings. Beer and wine coolers will be available, too. The kitchen closes at 9:30 p.m. each night.

Thursday nights will be open as smoke- and alcohol-free days, especially for church groups and families. The business also hopes to host a short league season beginning perhaps in March. There will be nine-pin tournaments, rock-and-roll bowl and scotch doubles, too.  

Plans are under way for regular league play to begin in the fall and to run for 34 weeks, with team play to be held each night, Monday through Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.

Groups of any size can reserve lanes, just for a specific evening out or for birthday parties, church or other social events. Sundays will be available by appointment. There are ten lanes available and four bumper lanes. The cost is $2.50 per game and $2 for shoe rental. “We want to keep it priced where people can afford it,” Grandstaff stated.

They will also offer specials and coming up for this weekend is a great Valentine’s Day deal: On Saturday night, Feb. 13, patrons can get a 16-inch single topping pizza, a pitcher of soda, two games of bowling and shoe rental for just $20.

For more information or to reserve lanes, call 775-5414 or email stvlb@ misn.com.