For many, it was a chance for one final game of fivepin bowling at the Sherwood Centre before the doors closed forever at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Technically, the final games will be played as part of a bowling school this weekend, but they are not open to the public.
By early afternoon, the centre was abuzz with activity, with a mix of young and old on most of the 48 alleys.
Among them was Tara Constantini, who was joined by her nine-year-old son Dominic, and 13-year-old daughter Morgan.
Constantini said when the family learned the centre was closing after more than five decades, they had to come and play on the final day.
“When Dominic found out, he was very upset,” said Tara who noted the family has been bowling at the Sherwood Centre at least once a week in the summer for the past 13 years.
A steady stream of longtime bowlers and well-wishers has been dropping by the office of centre general manager Helen MacCallum to share memories and commiserate about the loss of an East Mountain landmark that will leave only one fivepin operation in the city.
“I haven’t totally accepted it in my mind,” said MacCallum who has been at the centre for about 30 years. “It’s been a little difficult reminiscing.”
She noted the centre was home to as many as 35 bowling leagues between September and April.
“We’re exceptionally busy,” said MacCallum, who figures there have been three perfect-450 games and several near-perfect games rolled during her time there.
In a few minutes she will wander down to the lanes and roll a few balls, all captured by Hamilton Community News and a dozen or so staff and bowlers who are recording the action on their smartphones.
The staff was notified about three weeks ago that the centre was closing.
There is no word yet on what the soon-to-be new owners plan to do with the centre or the entire plaza property.
“I guess time marches on,” said MacCallum, who plans to retire and take it easy.
A pickup truck backs up to the rear entrance, and in a few minutes a once-popular pinball machine is partially taken apart and carted away.
As 4 p.m. approaches, most of the once-busy lanes have fallen silent.
It’s the end of an era.
For many, it was a chance for one final game of fivepin bowling at the Sherwood Centre before the doors closed forever at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Technically, the final games will be played as part of a bowling school this weekend, but they are not open to the public.
By early afternoon, the centre was abuzz with activity, with a mix of young and old on most of the 48 alleys.
Among them was Tara Constantini, who was joined by her nine-year-old son Dominic, and 13-year-old daughter Morgan.
Constantini said when the family learned the centre was closing after more than five decades, they had to come and play on the final day.
“When Dominic found out, he was very upset,” said Tara who noted the family has been bowling at the Sherwood Centre at least once a week in the summer for the past 13 years.
A steady stream of longtime bowlers and well-wishers has been dropping by the office of centre general manager Helen MacCallum to share memories and commiserate about the loss of an East Mountain landmark that will leave only one fivepin operation in the city.
“I haven’t totally accepted it in my mind,” said MacCallum who has been at the centre for about 30 years. “It’s been a little difficult reminiscing.”
She noted the centre was home to as many as 35 bowling leagues between September and April.
“We’re exceptionally busy,” said MacCallum, who figures there have been three perfect-450 games and several near-perfect games rolled during her time there.
In a few minutes she will wander down to the lanes and roll a few balls, all captured by Hamilton Community News and a dozen or so staff and bowlers who are recording the action on their smartphones.
The staff was notified about three weeks ago that the centre was closing.
There is no word yet on what the soon-to-be new owners plan to do with the centre or the entire plaza property.
“I guess time marches on,” said MacCallum, who plans to retire and take it easy.
A pickup truck backs up to the rear entrance, and in a few minutes a once-popular pinball machine is partially taken apart and carted away.
As 4 p.m. approaches, most of the once-busy lanes have fallen silent.
It’s the end of an era.
For many, it was a chance for one final game of fivepin bowling at the Sherwood Centre before the doors closed forever at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Technically, the final games will be played as part of a bowling school this weekend, but they are not open to the public.
By early afternoon, the centre was abuzz with activity, with a mix of young and old on most of the 48 alleys.
Among them was Tara Constantini, who was joined by her nine-year-old son Dominic, and 13-year-old daughter Morgan.
Constantini said when the family learned the centre was closing after more than five decades, they had to come and play on the final day.
“When Dominic found out, he was very upset,” said Tara who noted the family has been bowling at the Sherwood Centre at least once a week in the summer for the past 13 years.
A steady stream of longtime bowlers and well-wishers has been dropping by the office of centre general manager Helen MacCallum to share memories and commiserate about the loss of an East Mountain landmark that will leave only one fivepin operation in the city.
“I haven’t totally accepted it in my mind,” said MacCallum who has been at the centre for about 30 years. “It’s been a little difficult reminiscing.”
She noted the centre was home to as many as 35 bowling leagues between September and April.
“We’re exceptionally busy,” said MacCallum, who figures there have been three perfect-450 games and several near-perfect games rolled during her time there.
In a few minutes she will wander down to the lanes and roll a few balls, all captured by Hamilton Community News and a dozen or so staff and bowlers who are recording the action on their smartphones.
The staff was notified about three weeks ago that the centre was closing.
There is no word yet on what the soon-to-be new owners plan to do with the centre or the entire plaza property.
“I guess time marches on,” said MacCallum, who plans to retire and take it easy.
A pickup truck backs up to the rear entrance, and in a few minutes a once-popular pinball machine is partially taken apart and carted away.
As 4 p.m. approaches, most of the once-busy lanes have fallen silent.
It’s the end of an era.