“As a kid, I always dreamed of owning my own bowling center. When the opportunity to purchase the business came about, me and another employee decided to do it. I’ve been the owner since 2010, and it’s just been a privilege to keep this place open.
This place first opened in November of 1950, so there’s a lot of history here before me. I’m only 35, but have been bowling here since I was 5. It’s just a wonderful place for people to have good, safe fun. We are all friendly and hard-working, and we love what we do, so we were sad when we had to close for 5 months due to the pandemic last year.
Like any other business, we’ve had to enact safety protocols with distancing and cleaning procedures. We’ve had so much community support though, from loyal bowlers and new faces alike. Quite a few people went out of their way to donate some of their league prize money back into this place. It was a little overwhelming, but we appreciated the heartfelt gestures.
Considering I have lived most of my life in this town, I would say community is very important to me. This place is a great community hub where people can get together and make memories with one another. Our bowling alley also serves as a place kids can go where their parents can trust they will be safe and happy.
People come here not just for fun, but to learn as well. Scarborough Middle School students have been doing science projects on physics, and as part of that learning, they get to enjoy some time bowling together. It can get a bit hectic and crazy with so many kids here. But it’s nice knowing we’re providing an outlet for them to learn and grow.
As I’ve said before, we really are a community space. We value every person who walks through our doors, they are a big reason why we do what we do. We’re extremely thankful to be open and to be of service to the community.” - Mike Walker, Owner of Big 20 Bowling Center in Scarborough
Congratulations to Big 20 Bowling Center on being selected as one of the winners of the Heartbeat of Our Community Award!
