Winnipeg bowler Geoff Born said he is sad to see a piece of history hit the chopping block. “It’s terrible to see the demolition of another bowling alley, unfortunately,” Born said. “Bowling alleys are not the highest and best use of space and they’re getting scraped across Canada.” Born loves five-pin bowling and hits the lanes twice a week. The league bowler remembers a time when Roxy Lanes hosted an annual nationally televised tournament. He rolled in the event that began in the mid-1980s. “We had a few Winnipeg champions,” Born said. “I made the final show in 1995, so it was a nice party for about 20 years.” The East Kildonan bowling alley closed its doors in April 2022. It was then sold and purchased by the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF). Now, a full demolition has begun this month on the building as the MMF plans to turn it into a mixed 55-plus residential and commercial space. The MMF says the new space will address the need for affordable senior housing. “Our seniors, our elders, that’s the priority we should be focused on,” said Will Goodon, minister of housing for the Manitoba Métis Federation. “This particular building is going to continue on with that. The need for new housing spaces has become one of the most important political issues in our country in the last couple of years. We’re here to stand up and do our part.” A community hub The bowling alley was once home to the 1,200-seat Roxy Theatre, which first opened on Christmas Eve in 1929. Cindy Tugwell, executive director of Heritage Winnipeg, brought her three sons to bowl at Roxy Lanes over the years. She said there was a missed opportunity by the city to save the 96-year-old building. “I just really feel like it was a community hub, and everybody sort of came here and had a great time,” Tugwell said. “I think we forget that when we tear these buildings down, you’re taking those memories and that history away from that neighbourhood.” Tugwell said Heritage Winnipeg, along with the Northeast Winnipeg Historical Society, lobbied then-area councillor Jason Schreyer years ago with a heritage designation recommendation. “When the recommendation came forward to the city, they said it wasn’t significant enough to warrant designation,” Tugwell said. “Without that protection, a developer can come in and demolish the building as long as they have a development permit.” She said she would point to the success of Uptown Lofts, which replaced the former Academy Lanes. “I was so proud of that redevelopment,” Tugwell said. “People who live there love it. Now you’ve got people living and breathing in that building again, but it’s mostly preserved, and it still pays homage there. More importantly, on the front facade, when you drive by to say, ‘Wow, is that ever cool?’” Jim Smith, president of the Northeast Winnipeg Historical Society, said the theatre was a special place to gather for East Kildonan residents. He said he hopes the original movie projector can be salvaged during the demolition. “It was used for more than just movies back in that era,” Smith said. “It’s a shame that it’s being torn down, but that’s the reality.” Goodon said the demolition will take some time due to the potential presence of asbestos and other toxic materials. He said the MMF would like to have the new space complete in 2026. Goodon said they have found the original projector intact in the basement. The MMF said they are hopeful they can salvage it along with the building’s original signage and perhaps find it a new home. “It’s got to be worth something to somebody,” Goodon said. “If that’s the case, then we can absolutely work with any partners that want to preserve something like that.”
